'You don't sound like a black chap' Prince sparks new racism row WHAT HARRY TOLD COMIC.Byline: BY NICOLA METHVEN BLUNDERING Prince Harry was at the centre of a THIRD race row last night after telling a black comic: "You don't sound like a black chap." The gaffe-prone royal made the offensive remark to Stephen K Amos at a comedy show to celebrate Prince Charles's 60th birthday. Speaking on Five's The Wright Stuff yesterday, Amos said it came as he lined up with other stars after the performance. He explained: "Harry said, 'Hello, tell me, amusing... but you don't sound like a black chap'." As fellow panellist panellist or US panelist Noun a member of a panel, usually on radio or television Noun 1. panellist - a member of a panel panelist Lowri Turner Lowri Gwyneth Turner (born 31 December 1964 in London, England) is a British television presenter. She appeared early in her tv career as a celebrity panelist on BBC2's quiz show Going, Going, Gone and has presented the shows Looking Good, Shopping City, gasped along with presenter Wright, Amos added: "I wanted to say, (putting on an accent) 'How is I supposed to sound?'" Asked if the remark had been made in jest, he replied: "I hope it was." But Turner scoffed: "That's not the point." Harry's latest blunder - at last November's televised birthday show We Are Most Amused - comes just a month after it emerged he described an Army squaddie squaddie n (MIL) (col) → chivo squaddie n (Mil) (inf) → troufion m, bidasse m as "our little paki friend". It was also revealed last month that he, Charles and Prince William affectionately refer to an Indian polo club friend as "Sooty". Well-spoken Amos, from southwest London, generously put 24-year-old Harry's comment down to a poor attempt at making banter. But equality groups were outraged. Naomi Byron, national secretary of Youth Against Racism in Europe, said: "Many young people will be disgusted by his remark - how is a black man meant to sound? "But it is not just Prince Harry that is at fault. The aristocratic, rich circles he moves in obviously don't have a problem with this kind of racist stereotyping." Former Commission for Racial Equality The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom which aims to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality. It was set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 and is the only body with statutory power to help enforce the act. chairman Lord Herman Ouseley said: "It is very sad that Prince Harry thinks black people all talk in the same way. "It just goes to show how ill-educated members of the upper classes can be." Labour MP Parmjit Dhanda added: "I hope he will see that black people can come in all shapes and sizes with a variety of dialects." Last night a Palace spokeswoman refused to comment. She said: "We wouldn't be able to confirm whether any private conversation did or did not take place." I wanted to say, 'How is I supposed to sound?' STEPHEN K AMOS ON TV'S THE WRIGHT STUFF CAPTION(S): JOKER Comedian Stephen appearing on the royal show; ROYAL APPROVAL Stephen lines up with other comics to shake hands to perform the customary act of civility by clasping and moving hands, as an expression of greeting, farewell, good will, agreement, etc. See also: Shake with Charles and, in the background, Prince Harry |
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