John Cleese slammed on Twitter for rant about ‘half-educated tenement Scots’

The Monty Python star angered followers after reacting to an article by journalist Fraser Nelson 
Backlash: John Cleese has been slammed on Twitter for his comments about Scots
Danny E. Martindale/Getty
Jennifer Ruby4 October 2016
The Weekender

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John Cleese has been slammed on Twitter following a bizarre rant about ‘tenement Scots’.

The Monty Python star, who is known for voicing controversial opinions on the social media site, faced a backlash for his ‘elitist’ comments.

In reaction to a piece written by journalist Fraser Nelson in The Telegraph about Sam Allardyce’s sting, Cleese wrote:

“Why do we let half-educated tenement Scots run our English press ? Because their craving for social status makes them obedient retainers ?”

The comedian’s Scottish followers were quick to hit back at the star, with some telling him that his post was nothing more than ‘casual racism’.

“Whoh! Enough with the casual racism John. You're better than that,” wrote one surprised follower.

Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle, John Oliver, and Terry Jones
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Cleese immediately replied to say: “It's not casual racism,it's considered culturalism.”

Another follower wrote: “No, it is racism and xenophobia and you have just managed to ruin a lot of work I used to enjoy, you utter plonker.”

Referring to Cleese’s tenement remark, someone else added: “Hi @JohnCleese Here is 'Windows in the West', a portrait of a Glasgow tenement. I think you owe this building, & other tenements, an apology.”

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Scottish comedian Limmy even got involved, writing: “I've read that John Cleese might have said something, let me see. Join me as I discover a Twitter outrage LIVE. First, the trends...

“John Cleese being snobby about Scots isnae a surprise, Monty Python took the piss out of Scots tons of times. I don't really care, though.

“It's comforting to see somebody as educated and intelligent as John Cleese say something so ignorant. I don't know why.”

Instead of taking the criticism lying down, the comedy icon continued to defend himself.

Before changing the subject to Donald Trump, Cleese wrote: “Another one is : why are there no English journalists running Scottish newspapers. Xenophobia ?”

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