BBC apologises for 'offensive' Gardeners' Question Time debate about plant called 'black man's willy'
For some it was nothing more than an innuendo-laden piece of Carry On style humour. But for others it was deeply offensive racial stereotyping.
Yesterday the BBC made an embarrassing apology after a debate about a plant known as a "black man's willy" aired on Gardeners' Question Time.
A caller on the Radio 4 show asked advice on the Rhodochiton Volubilis, which he said was "commonly known as the BMW, the black man's willy".
Panellists were heard giggling their way through a discussion about the plant, after it was broadcast from Chilcompton Gardening Club in Somerset.
But some listeners failed to see the funny side complaining of racist stereotyping and vulgarity by the broadcaster, adding it was unsuitable for children.
Now the corporation has sparked claims it has pandered to the "politically correct brigade" by apologising.
They say the phrase is a commonly known term for the plant, due to its appearance, and therefore is acceptable to use.
Conservative MP Philip Davies, who sits on the culture, media and sport select committee, has hit out at the BBC's decision to apologise.
He said: "I suspect the people who've complained are probably white, middle-class, sandal-wearing do-gooders with too much time on their hands.
"There are far too many people that are far too easily offended by things that are not intended to upset or are in fact not offensive.
For some it was nothing more than an innuendo-laden piece of Carry On style humour. But for others it was deeply offensive racial stereotyping.
Yesterday the BBC made an embarrassing apology after a debate about a plant known as a "black man's willy" aired on Gardeners' Question Time.
A caller on the Radio 4 show asked advice on the Rhodochiton Volubilis, which he said was "commonly known as the BMW, the black man's willy".
Panellists were heard giggling their way through a discussion about the plant, after it was broadcast from Chilcompton Gardening Club in Somerset.
But some listeners failed to see the funny side complaining of racist stereotyping and vulgarity by the broadcaster, adding it was unsuitable for children.
Now the corporation has sparked claims it has pandered to the "politically correct brigade" by apologising.
They say the phrase is a commonly known term for the plant, due to its appearance, and therefore is acceptable to use.
Conservative MP Philip Davies, who sits on the culture, media and sport select committee, has hit out at the BBC's decision to apologise.
He said: "I suspect the people who've complained are probably white, middle-class, sandal-wearing do-gooders with too much time on their hands.
"There are far too many people that are far too easily offended by things that are not intended to upset or are in fact not offensive.


Admittedly, they both live in ghettoes, but the similarity ends there, one would think.

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