Backlash over Meghan Markle 'racism' comments on Question Time is 'water off a duck's back', says Laurence Fox

Laurence Fox has insisted that the backlash over his comments on racism are "water off a duck's back."

The actor responded to critics amid uproar over his remarks on BBC Question Time show, when he claimed it was "racist" for an audience member to call him a "white, privileged male."

He also said racism should only be called out when it's "obvious", as he debated whether the Duchess of Sussex has been subjected to racist press coverage.

The 41-year-old, whose name has been trending since show, which aired on Thursday night, wrote on Twitter: "Dear trolls. Water off a ducks back. Happy Friday everyone."

After the appearance, he also tweeted to say his social media feed was "like Christmas come early" and added: "Speak truth to nonsense."

Laurence Fox says the criticism is "water off a duck's back"
BBC

The row came after Mr Fox was asked by an audience member about the media coverage of Meghan, which has been thrown into the spotlight following her and Prince Harry's decision to step down as senior royals.

A woman in the televised audience, addressing Mr Fox, said: "It's racism, she is a black woman, and she has been torn to pieces."

But Mr Fox dismissed this as he shook his head and said: "It's not racism."

He continued: "We're the most tolerant lovely country in Europe.

"It's so easy to throw the card of racism at everybody... and it's really starting to get boring now."

The row then heated up as she told him: "What worries me about your comment is is you are a white privileged male."

He then angrily interjected with "oh god" and added: "I can't help what I am, I was born like this, it's an immutable characteristic.

"So to call me a white privileged male is to be racist. You're being racist."

His comments came amid a discussion as to whether the media coverage around Meghan is racist
AP

Mr Fox, who was married to Billie Piper until 2016, had also said that racism should be called out when it is "seen, when it's obvious and when it's there".

He said he thought "throwing racism around" was dangerous.

Footage of the exchange was heavily shared online, with many social media users criticising Mr Fox for his position.

Some responded in defence of the opinions he had shared.

Another user said his appearance was "sickening to watch", as she defended the woman involved in the row.

Femi Oluwole, prominent pro-European activist, tweeted: "When Laurence Fox calls it racist to point out that he's a white privileged male, when he's trying to downplay racism, even though, as a white privileged male, he has even less of an experience of the adversity racism causes than I do as a black privileged male."

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