Laurence Fox called a Question Time audience member racist for pointing out his white privilege
The actor, Laurence Fox, best known for playing the sidekick to Kevin Whately in the Morse spin-off,Lewis, has more recently been in the spotlight for his fight against political correctness.
For example, as a musician, he released an album intended to call out “woke” culture. On this week’s episode of Question Time, he clashed with an audience member over whether racism had been levelled against the Duchess of Sussex.
“Let’s be really clear about what this is, let’s call it by its name, it’s racism.”
“We’re the most tolerant lovely country in Europe, it’s not racism”
This audience member clashes with actor @LozzaFox over the treatment of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/ZwANAlCBbA
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) January 16, 2020
The extraordinary claim was widely condemned on Twitter, with these eleven reactions being perfect examples of what people were saying.
1.
Laurence Fox: "Britain is a lovely, un-racist country, except when people call me a white privileged male – that's racist"
He's right – only posh, rich white people can understand what racism really is. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/D3QpwS2zA8— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) January 16, 2020
2.
Laurence Fox responding to his privilege being pointed out with "I was born this way", yerh mate, that's the fucking point #bbcqt
— Dylan Dodds and Friends (Friends Not Included) (@TornToRibbons) January 16, 2020
3.
Looks like it could be a racially motivated murder
Not possible sir, there is no racism in this country#bbcqt pic.twitter.com/0hZhZ50rmw— end of daves ❄️ 🥕 (@davemacladd) January 16, 2020
4.
What a scumbag. Born into the privileged Fox acting dynasty. Educated at Harrow. Got his job through nepotism. Now playing the persecuted victim of racism card because he had the misfortune to be born white.
Billie Piper sure knows how to pick 'em. #bbcqt https://t.co/DWKpo3unEV
— Frank Owen's Legendary Paintbrush (@WarmongerHodges) January 16, 2020
5.
This is what we pay the license fee for. To see one of The Fox dynasty on #bbcqt discussing how bored they are of racism. This is some next level shit.
— DLW (@dannyleewynter) January 16, 2020
5.
Laurence Fox is the twat lounging in the corner of the pub who's been drinking since noon and thinks he's edgy because he occasionally barks provocations at anyone who passes him on the way to the bog #bbcqt
— Nancy Drew (@Shaggers999) January 16, 2020
6.
oh god Laurence Fox going the full Eamonn Holmes on #bbcqt
Just what we needed, one more privileged white male arbiter of racism! 🙄pic.twitter.com/t1Rqsyvjjg
— end of daves ❄️ 🥕 (@davemacladd) January 16, 2020
7.
Awwww Laurence Fox is bored of racism. Poor lad. #bbcqt
— Jonathan Harvey (@JOJEHARVEY) January 16, 2020
8.
Excellent. I’m sure that people of colour who know they’re experiencing racism will be relieved that Laurence Fox says they’re not because we’re a lovely country. And that someone pointing out he’s a privileged white male is racist. Ffs, get him off the panel. #bbcqt
— Sarah Blohm (@bloomer71) January 16, 2020
9.
“We’re the most tolerant lovely country in Europe”. Laurence Fox 2020. Hey Laurence tell that to the windrush generation. Tell that to the Grenfell residents. Tell that to the Muslim Women called letterboxes by our PM. #BBCQT. pic.twitter.com/daMVs9tSEI
— The boy from Bengal (@supernaturalbro) January 16, 2020
10.
Laurence Fox: "I was born this way. To call me a white privileged male is racist"
WHAT THE SH*** #bbcqtpic.twitter.com/TqYb1xq2VG— Femi (@Femi_Sorry) January 16, 2020
11.
I once ran over Laurence Fox's foot with a suitcase and boy, am I glad about it in retrospect.
— Melinda Salisbury (@MESalisbury) January 16, 2020
Finally, Twitter user Steve Gray spotted something relatable in the demeanour of Labour peer, Shami Chakribarti.
The look Shami Chakribarti gives Laurence Fox is the same one lots of us are giving him about now.#bbcqt pic.twitter.com/9aBnQvJCyE
— Steve Gray (@Kapt_Kopter2) January 16, 2020
READ MORE
This Question Time audience member lost the room when he revealed his pay bracket
