David Cameron was dragged into a race row last night after one of his
frontbenchers made an unfortunate remark during a House of Lords debate.
Lord Dixon-Smith, the Tory spokesman for communities and local government,
referred to concerns about government housing legislation as the “nigger in
the woodpile”.
The phrase described fugitive slaves who hid in piles of firewood as they fled
persecution in the American Deep South in the mid-19th century. In November
a Tory councillor in Bedfordshire resigned after using the same words.
Mr Cameron said last night that the remark – which is recorded in Hansard
– was “not appropriate” but he refused to dismiss him. Instead Lord
Dixon-Smith went twice to apologise to Lord Strathclyde, the Tory leader in
the Lords. He told The Times afterwards that the remark had “slipped
out without my thinking”.
He said that he had realised his mistake when in the chamber and apologised.
“It was common parlance when I was younger, put it that way,” he said. He
emphasised that he now considered the matter closed.
Lord Dixon-Smith, 73, a Eurosceptic farmer from Essex, has courted controversy
before. In March he said that Britain “might have had rather fewer problems”
if there had been less immigration.
The remark presents a fresh headache for Mr Cameron in the week that he urged
a return to clear notions of right and wrong, suggesting that society had
become too sensitive.
It comes less than a month after Boris Johnson, the Conservative Mayor of
London, was
forced to dismiss a senior adviser who suggested that members of the
Caribbean community unhappy with his election could “go home”.
Lord Dixon-Smith’s remark was made during a debate on the Housing and
Regeneration Bill, which merges some functions of the Housing Corporation
and English Partnerships, creating a new Homes and Communities Agency. Lord
Dixon-Smith was outlining his objections to the new agency in the debate,
and was agreeing with the objections of Baroness Hamwee, the Liberal
Democrat planning expert.
He said: “The Homes and Communities Agency is not a body to which we object in
principle. As the minister has explained, it is an amalgamation of the
Housing Corporation and English Partnerships. Of course, the nigger in the
woodpile, as the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, has already pointed out, is
that it still incorporates what I call the hangover of the new towns
legislation. If it were not for that, we would have little difficulty with
the foundation of this agency.”
Another Tory peer, Lord Brooke of Sutton Mandeville, intervened after Lord
Dixon-Smith had finished and suggested that he reconsider his choice of
words. “My Lords, before my noble friend sits down, he used a phrase about a
woodpile,” Lord Brooke said. “If your Lordships’ House were happy, I think
it would perhaps be helpful if the wording of the phrase were revised.”
Lord Dixon-Smith replied: “I apologise, my Lords. I left my brains behind. I
apologise to the House.”
This prompted a wave of condemnation across Parliament. Keith Vaz, the Labour
chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “I regard this remark
as racist, because it’s deeply offensive. It shows a lack of understanding
and sensitivity to the ethnic community and seems to come from a throwback
age when people used that kind of phrase as if it was normal. We will judge
Mr Cameron on how he responds.”
Denis MacShane, the former Europe minister and antiracism campaigner, said:
“Clearly, David Cameron should ask Lord Dixon-Smith to stand down. Cameron
always condemns, but always covers up for the ugly face of a Tory Party that
can’t stop itself saying out loud what it seems many of them think deep
down.”
Lord Sawyer, a former general secretary of the Labour Party, said: “Language
like this is absolutely unacceptable anywhere, including in the House.”
A Tory frontbencher said: “I am horrified that a member of my party should
make a remark like this. I’m staggered that somebody on the front bench of
our party could be so out of touch.”
A spokeswoman for Mr Cameron said that they had not heard about the remark or
apology until contacted by The Times: “This was not an appropriate
thing to say and it was absolutely right that he apologised to the House.”
Lord Dixon-Smith has been in Tory politics for more than 40 years. Educated at
Oundle and Writtle Agricultural College, he served in the King’s Dragoon
Guards from 1955-57, reaching the rank of second lieutenant, before turning
to farming in 1958. He became a councillor in Essex in 1965, and was
chairman of the country council from 1986 to 1989. He lost his seat in 1993
and was made a peer.
He has been on the front bench since 1997, responsible for local government,
the environment, and, since 2007, the communities department. He is married
with two children and seven grandchildren.
As long as blacks in England, America or in Timbukto continue to use it, there should be no fall out for any other race to be politcally correct. In America Whoopi Goldberg and another co-host of the View blantantly said it was ok for them (blacks) to use it but you (whites) cannot. Absurd!
Woodrow Morgan, New Boston , USA
i cant beleive the number of people who have written in abt this. i wouldnt mind betting that most of the most offended are white since the word is in common parlence amongst blacks..and repeatedly in huge shows chris rock..(i forget what color he is) what a sensitive beast the English have become.
zugerman, zurich, switzerland
I am eighty-four years old and it is quite true that in my childhood we were not as sensative towards the feelings of other races. However, the word WAS offensive then and it IS offensive now. Winston Churchill referred to Mahatma Ghandi as a Fakir in a bed sheet. Ignorant lout is how I refer to him
Harry Greenwood, West Vancouver BC, Canada
A generally used expression of only twenty years ago and Keith Vaz and his mates are jumping up and down like scared rabbits (Oh sorry rabbits!)
As a rabid Spike Milligan fanatic I am grateful he was born so long ago otherwise he would have been arrested every time he put pen to paper.
John, Waterlooville, UK
If this was a Labour MP or Lord, the gutter press would have been all over the top of them. This sort of language is becoming all too typical in the Tory party. Boris lost an aide saying something similar, am I not right! They are now the sleazy party!!
Rae, Dorset,
Im glad he said what he did, there are too many people in this country that would rather us walk on egg shells for our entire lives rather than actually saying anything.
what he said was no doubt insensitive, but, it was not racist and i find thought censorship far more offensive than insensitivity
will, grimsby, uk
This whole argument is a complete red heering, thrown up by left-wingers determined to traduce any Tory on the 'race card'. Get on with things that really count instead of side shows of political points made by failed politicians determined to distract attention away from their own failures.
Edwin, Bucharest,
The "nice" gloss that Cameron has painted over his party is once again seen as pretty superficial.
A B Robertson, Dunoon, Scotland
Ridiculous! Whatever happened to freedom of speech..? The government has enough to worry about without having to deal with little sayings like this. People need to get over themselves.
Aaron, Reading, Berkshire
Howard, how about RED NECK a derogatory saying used by the Boers to describe the British soldiers who had red collars so they could be spotted miles away in the African bush. How about POMMY, How about queers, until recently this was not a derogatory word, and we do get it we just thinks its silly.
Lloyd, London,
And there's me thinking i should vote for conservative in the next election! IF David C keeps this guy, there is NO way i'm voting conservative, for in essence David C is supporting this behaviour.
ben, birmingham, england
PC gone mad again! Cameron should continue his realistic approach with people who have only got themselves to blame and defend Lord Dixon-Smith. Then he will be worth the votes he will be getting.
luke, London,
Get a life you lot.
The man was brought up with the expression being normal and frequently use and not with racists inclinations.
And he apologised.
Richard, London,
True colours coming through or just a slip of the tongue that the more devious Labour party would be careful not to do in public? The 'you can't say that' brigade have everyone on the ropes. The only problem is that those pointing the fingers are doing and saying what they like behind closed doors.
judy, Liverpool, England
There was a boy arrested a few months back that was on racism charges for using these kinds of sayings in a bar. He was let off because he had not been using these words in a derogatory way nor had he been using them towards any individual or individuals.
Remarks without malice = not racism.
Graeme, Edinburgh,
The 'woodpile’ remark, and the creed of political correctness are equally passé.
Derek, Taunton, UK
All are racists. What distinguishes the good from the bad is that goodies are alert to their and others' prejudice and try to counter it, while baddies indulge themselves and others in their prejudice. It does not help the fight when peole excuse casual racist remarks or villify slips of the tongue
peter harris, Witley, UK
Lord Dixon-Smith has played the white man and apologised. Although why he should need to apologise for use of an expression which far from being insulting to coloured people, is a reminder of the oppression they suffered, is beyond me.
John, Colchester,
Good manners dictates that such outdated and derogatory phrases are not used in this day and age. Perhaps this man's vocabulary is so limited that he has to resort to such offensive terms. Whether insult was meant or not public figures should use a little common sense, but then he is a Tory.
Neil, Gloucestershire, England
How ridiculous---it was a common expression before the sensitive souls of the Labour Left took over. And what about "Play the white man---" another in general use in my young days. Better than the filthy language everywhere now,and with no racial connotation at the time.
D.Henry, Edinburgh, Scotland UK
There are lots of antiquated expressions still in use today. "Play the whiteman" for example. The original usuage might suggest that only white people are fair. If, however, it is used by somebody of ethnic background, it actually means the opposite, behave in a unfair way. i.e. oppressive.
Mathew , Perpignan, France
All this talk lately of institutions reflecting society...maybe its time the House of Lords was Scrapped and seen as the out of touch place it really is. Why not just have a one Chamber Parliament? There is by the way no excuse for Lord Dixon-Smith's comment regardless of his age.
Craig Earley, Salford, Greater Manchester, England
oh for goodness sake! The man is form a diffrent generation, he;s used the phrase 100s of times b4 when it was common parlance, so it slips out - he wasn;t trying to insult blacks! please...
amanda, london,
Veronica, Enfield -
Why should The Times censor the word?! Does the physical appearance of the word offend you?! The Times are merely quoting what was factually said. If you want a childish paper that reports "The bad man said a naughty word beginning with N" then I suggest you opt for The Sun
Christopher Crichton-Rankin, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, UK
Keith Vaz is more of an embarrassment to Labour than this old buffer is to the Tories. Is there no bandwagon he will not leap on in shameless self-promotion? He will be expecting a peerage himself one day which will diminish that chamber.
Pete, Lancaster,
Times, censor the word.
Veronica, Enfield,
I think it was wrong, but it's all about intent - the guy used a dated phrase, not in anger, but out of habit. As an engineer, I work round guys who are not used to working with women, & every now & again a comment, which some women would consider offensive pops out. But not in malice - no harm done
Gemma, Notts,
No wonder people are leaving the UK in ever increasing numbers if we all have to be so politically correct for fear of offending are colonial population. A storm in a teacup I think.
peter Adams, Dudley, West Midlands
crazy, lets force a good man into resignation because of a choice of words from the past that has no meaning in 21st Britian. David cameroon should say "So what" move on. We have so many problems and alot of them would start to be sorted if we stop this PC rubbish which will destroy us!
Dave, stoke, UK
More PC nonsense. Political Correctness really means Political Censorship and if we are going to hound people every time a metaphor or expression uses the word black then I for one will start the revolt and use those expressions even more. Rebel against PC nonsense and do the opposite
Richard K, Nottingham,
Can someone please tell me what I must now call the book by Charles Dickens, and Joseph Conrad called The Nigger of the 'Narcissus' ?
Lloyd, London,
I object to "German measles".
Wolfgang, Boulder, CO, USA
I smell a Tory rat. This is the tactic of dog-whistling which the UK Tories have picked up from the unter-menschen who served under former Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Basically, its a deliberate tactic of appearing to make a gaffe, apologising, but really connecting with some voters.
David Jennings, Melbourne, Australia
Mr Tim, San Marcos, U S of A
To the cracker across the pond I must say that I, being a honky, also find such terms very funny.
Phill, The Wirral, England
Err, don't the rap 'singers' use this word all the time? Presumably that makes them 'racists' too?
Dr Ian Burgess, Bristol,
My only comment is how much joy did it give Rupert Murdoch's Times newspaper and any other to be able to publish that statement on their front pages.
By making a big deal out of it you are surreptisiously giving it far more credence that it deserves.
Hip Hop uses the word all the time.
James Currie, Marbella, Spain
Ah so the pc brigade have got to try & get their teeth into something. They might like to sit back for a moment & realise that the majority of people in this country are now sick to the back teeth with pc gone mad. He did not make the remark in a racist way, I hope DC can stand up and say so!
Pete, St Albans, England
An old fashioned remark from and old fashioned man.
Susan, Barry, S Wales
The remark wasn't made directly to anyone or used as a derogatory term to describe anyone. It was a regrettable expression, which used to be fairly commonplace similar to 'the elephant in the room'. In a multicultural society people need to be far less sensitive. There is too much 'taking offence'
Donna Walker, Effingham, England
I live in an area which has many black people, they often call each other "nigger", its street slang. Should they be told off, arrested, forced out of their jobs?
michael, london,
The French refer to talking French in a rather basic way as 'petit nègre' and I haven't heard of any such furore as a result. It is also used for a ghost writer
sarah, france, france
What a ridiculos suggestion, this man should not be sacked, or have to resign, its a phrase, a commonly used phrase that has been used for 200 years, it refers to the slave times, granted he could have chosen his words better, but not to the point of resignation, a stiff upper lip is needed by all!
Ian, Gainsborough, Lincs
Tories "can't change their spots". Do we really want these people to govern us? They're having embarrassment and sleaze even before an election. (and look at the London Mayor with problems already). It's best we find out about their problems now before we make the mistake of letting them back in!
Mac, Manchester, UK
Tory in racist slur shock!
Why is anyone surprised? Barely even a headline is it?
Damian, Manchester,
Oh for heavens sake people, its an expression, get over it! In the context used it has no derogatory meaning towards black people, and most of them will know that.
The word nigger was in common usage for years, but all of a sudden its not allowed? What's next? Maybe we could stop folk swearing?
fedupandenglish, Surrey,
This PC goes too far. Now we have to change English sayings that are centuries old. Soon we will only be allowed to grunt at certain frequencies so as not to offend. I am a cracker, a derogatory word used by black people to describe white people, so pass the cheese and crunchy bisects please. Stupid
Lloyd, London,
And black people use 'nigger' to address each other as a badge of brotherhood all the time. It's all about context and the middle class white bleeding hearts don't get it.
J.C., Frankfurt,
@David, Poole
You have no idea do you? 'Whitey' has no historical context - whites have never been subject to derogatory abuse where the word goes hand in hand with it. Blacks have, nigger was (and still is) used to dehumanize them for their colour.
Another recent example - Paki.
Howard, Manchester,
Well I never!!!!....If the Tories carry on like this I shall DEFINATELY be voting for them in the next general election. Come on you Blues........
Rumbold, High Wycombe, England
Here we are looming into recession, everyone is struggling, children are being knifed at horrifying rate and were making a major issue out of this mans slip of the tongue, let him without sin and all that, hes apologised, twice, this should be the end of it.
debra steadman, Leicester, UK
For decades I used the phrase 'call a spade a spade', knowing only that it referred to the difference between a spade and a shovel. Some idiot decided it could also refer to black people, so know it's officially racist!
Honestly, the mind boggles.
hillus, Perth, Australia,
My old teacher used the expression once, and I'm black!
Big fuss over nowt.
When Madonna speaks about her alleged divorce or Britanny Spears steps out it will make the headlines in place of this story.
John, London,
He would have used Nigger in the woodpile as a child as it was a common saying with no meaning.
Just the same as he also would have said about his favorite teacher that he was a Gay fellow. Maybe we should all shut up when swearing and saying when angry outbursts occur. Jesus Christ !!!
Steve Gilmour, London, UK
surely ms harman should be equally castigated for her bias on gender,
what is the difference between colour or sex?
john haydon rowe, javea,
What a fuss about nothing. It's back to golliwogs. This is simply a common expression which is not meant to cause any offence. There are more important things to life.
William, London, UK
Vaz & McShane, their only contribution to public life is playing the race relations card whenever there's political gain. Seizing opportunities to stir up peoples prejudices has the opposite effect from improving racial harmony, but there again being politicians they'd know that.
John Bull, England,
Does anyone have a Black Sheep in their family?
If it hasn't already, this country will disappear up it's own backside with Political Correctness
Tonto, London,
Maybe he should have been like W. C. Fields in "My Little Chickadee", and referred to "an Ethiopean in the fuel supply".
Bill Peter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ooooh we are all so PC now aren't we. THIS IS A NON ISSUE .... UN-NEWS WORTHY ... sigh!
matthew masters, london,
So what is wrong with this phrase, it is as old as the hills and I see nothing wrong with it and I am not racist. We are really cracking up in this country obsessed by so called political correctness and frightened of the truth just in case it offends. Say it as it is with honesty and grow up!
neil, almere, holland
Full marks to Vaz and MacShane for making an issue of this - now everybody under 30 who had probably never heard the phrase before now do.
Eddie, Harrogate, Yorkshire
So English......words must be controlled...but the streets can be feral and children can be forced to drink petrol, knifed, shot, maimed inside and outside school....but words are to be controlled......
TomTom, Leeds, England
A meaningless slip of the tongue using a phrase from childhood and nothing more- so a good man will be lost for no good reason.
I have two mixed race children and see it as no more than that.
Denise B, Oldbury, UK
Having worked in some 20 countries in Africa and the Caribbean, I have been called 'whitey' quite a few times when I have had to make an unpopular decision. I just brushed it off and that's what everybody should do. 'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me'.
David, Poole,
Wait.. Wait... wait, let me think! Senior member of society, amongst all the intelligent people that run this country can’t control what they say. The world must think we are all stupid over here. NO.
Mandeep, London,
I'm not going to take any lessons on race from Americans or Australians; their views on brown people have been made quite clear.
If anyone thinks they can use the word nigger (whatever the context) in work, professional surroundings or the houses of parliament, they have a problem.
Owen, Tunbridge Wells, England
Nigger in the woodpile; "no racist connotations."
Mr Lusk, did you actually read the piece before posting a view? Moreover, why are those who deem the word "nigger" as offensive labelled as PC? Don't people deserve to be treated with respect in your universe?
samantha, manchester,
The only lamentable issue here is Mr. MacShane’s niggard magnanimity.
Carl Peter Åkerhielm, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
I am a "nigger" and I do not mind when people use these expressions. If people are against black people they do not show it by use of such expressions but in other nastier ways .
Do not defend people who did not ask for or appreciate your help - this is the mark of the hypocrite. We blacks know this
Samuel Ashamowo, Leung Tse Ho, China
He should have said "the darkskinned curly haied gentleman".That, I presume, would have been acceptable.
Brian O Cinneide, eThekwini, Afrika Borwa
To all you "honkies" out there.....If any ever saw Flip Wilson on American TV in the last century...He often used the word 'honkies' in reference to 'white' folks...and as a 'honkie'...we would laft at that 'joke',or ourself.....hmmm..or was it a joke..!!!!
Mr Tim, San Marcos, U S of A
So long as Tory party membership is interchangeable with UKIP and the BNP, you have to accept that phrases like this will slip out.
Perhaps the boy Cameron will accept responsibility for his supporters, instead of always blaming the fat, the unemployed and single mothers for our fractured society !
Peter Hooper, Windsor, UK
To all you who seem to take deep offense to this, I am sure when you are 75 years down the road phrases commonplace today may be slightly inappropriate. Before voicing your moral outrage ask yourself if you are whiter than white ( No offense meant to sensitive souls ).
Edward, London,
Well, he'll just have to wash his mouth out with black tar soap ....
elizabeth schumann, Paris, France
All we need to do is to count to ten, ponder on the generation from which this chap comes, and apply a huge dollop of common sense.
Chris Palmer, Southampton,
To Stephen Phillips, even your PC phrasing is not PC. What colour are you refering to? Are all Europeans the so-called "white' that is perpectually proposed? The anglo-saxon could at best be described as pale beige. Are they the colour of these background pages; come on!
Louis Lim, Perth, Australia
Clearly it would have been far more acceptable to have referred to an "African-American in the woodpile"!
Paul Neri, Canberra, Australia
If a muslim makes a comment about a white person nothing would be done for fear of offending their sensibilities, but if a silly old buffer uses a phrase that I personally use all the time (without any racist intent) he is in deep trouble.
Get your priorities right, this is just silly
David, St Albans, UK
Oh please, its all about the context its used in and the intent of the user. This was clearly a figure of speech and not meant to offend people. I have an old cook book from the 50's that has a receipe for N word ginger biscuits. It was just part of his generation; let it go for crying out loud!
Paul, Bucks, England
Unless you're in a minority group, you'll never totally understand why this is offensive. Also, the MSM does little (both in the U.K. and the States) to promote an open debate about race. Big Brother is far more important.
Tom, Kansas City, US
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me". Freedom of speech includes the freedom to offend.
Cameron should have the guts to say "so what" to the remark, its a free country isn't it.
But not any more it seams.
Chris, Ely, England
The term is deeply offensive to a small minority of middle class champagne socialists, who have ruthlessly exploited political correctness to create an illusion of importance in their otherwise mediochre lives. If Cameron succumbs to PC pressure on this one, he is alienating the majority of voters.
Richo, Perth, Australia
Racism!!! It's impossible to even think it let alone discuss it. Just what are we so scared of? It is now like something in fiction. I mustn't mention anything that may be construed as 'rascist' What sort of world do we live in?
Kenneth Wheatley, StPeé sur Nivelle, France
OK...now this is just getting too silly.
James, Monteria, Colombia
I used the phrase "white than white" the other day - & then wondered if I had offended any of my many-ethnic colleagues. None batted an eyelid. We all live and work in a genuinely equal environment in Australia. As a Brit, depressing to see same tired & irrelevent issues reported. Get over it, UK!
Tom, Sydney, Australia
Although I don't believe in political correctness there are certain words that have such a dubious history that to utter them is to display contempt for civlized values. Anti-semetic remarks come into this category along with the 'n' word. If Cameron tolerates this what else will he tolerate?
kevin, Lincoln, UK
I'm late forties and the phrase is lodged in my subconscience from childhood. I actually used it about 15 years ago and wouldn't have realised until someone pointed it out. It still comes into my thoughts and I'm afraid that one day I will say it again. We should show some understanding here.
Rob, Baku, Azerbaijan
I laughed when I saw this. How utterly idiotic and symptomatic of typical Tory sentiments. They can't seem to control what comes out of their mouths. Even if he was thinking it, why would he say it? He is supposed to be the spokesman for communities.
I'm sure it will blow over anyway.
James Thompson, London, U.K.
Surely the PC phrase is "Person of colour in the fuel storage facility"?
Stephen Phillips, London, UK,
Er......and this is headline news in a world with so many, many problems......?
Paul, Alnwick, UK,
I think it was just a slip of the tongue. I don't think it is indicative of any kind of latent racism - but I fear that others might not see it that way.
If he is dismissed, he will forever be thought of as the man who was dismissed for being a "racist". Is it really fair to label him with this?
James, Adelaide, South Australia
Much ado about nothing.
Carol, Bristol,
of course its an issue, a UK govt party just systematically offended some black citizens and immigrate, whatever debate made by the torys was destoyed by this derogatory phrase. even the word slaves would have been more approriate than the n word
Casey Drake, London, UK
It was a slip of the tongue for which he apologised almost immediately. People make mistakes, must they resign every time they misspeak as Hillary Clinton put it?
The fact that Labour are seeking to make political mischief out of something so trivial shows just how desperate they are.
Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK
This is most definitely a non-issue. However, judging and criticizing someone aged 73 is distinctly ageist. Those who do criticize are not making allowances for his upbringing and the social environment he was exposed to in the 1950's. PC thug's don't much like to be criticized do they!
peterj, malvern, uk
"this is a deeply offensive word when spoken by people who are not black"
I think this is an offensive word regardless of who says it - black or white.
Kate, Sydney, Australia
I agree with Jay - it's a non-issue. It's an old phrase and he clearly said it without thinking. It's the same as saying, "the fly in the ointment". It's outdated and inappropriate but should not cause a capable person to have to resign.
CLaire, Stockport, England
Well, Jay Walker, et al, many of the common epithets I chringed at as a kid growing up in the still-segregated southern U.S. of the mid-fifties should never have been tolerated and remain utterly inappropriate. That is as it should be. Lord Dixon-Smith should be left behind... along with his brain.
Ed Pyle, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA
I'm not sure we really associate the words with anything else other than "something from left field", " a dark horse" or such other.
He has apologised and is embarrassed - get over it and get on with it.
Steve Melville, Sydney, Australia
How ridiculous this is! It's just an expression, in common use not so very long ago and I would bet that 90% of people who use it don't even know its origins, in the same way that they don't know "bloody" used as a swear word has it's origins in "By our Lady".
We'd all get along a lot better if the PC brigade would stop throwing its toys out of the pram.
Anna, London, UK
This seems to be an unfortunate slip of the tongue which has been blown out of all proportion and the man certainly shouldn't have to resign for it. It was a metaphor, so already distanced from its original meaning. Outdated and with originally racist connotations, yes. Deliberately offensive no.
James Stedman, Berlin, Germany
First, it is too bloody bad that overly sensitive or just plain fools have never taken the time to learn the historical origins of the word.
Second, why is it that only whites are capable of uttering "racially offensive" comments? Whites, whether in the East End or Watts, hear them every day!
Bob Evans, Anaheim, California
They used this prase so long ago that Ive never even heard it uttered before.Im in my mid-20s.He must use this phrase in private,it wouldnt have come to him suddenly after not having said it for 40 years!If he uses it in private it shows his true attitude and insesitivity towards blacks!!Enuff Sed
Ed, London,
This remark was a common enough one only a few years ago, There was no directed malice or pointed hate involved in this case, People of my age grew up with the Robertson's Jam Adornments, Citing eeny meeny miny mo etc. Cut the guy some slack....Piiillllleeeeeeese
Peter, Vancouver. BC., Canada
"who suggested that members of the Caribbean community unhappy with his election could “go home”. This is not what was said. When told that they would leave London because they were unhappy he said they could leave. A very different thing to what has been said here and entirely justifiable.
Rob, Singapore,
David Cameron is the George W. Bush of the UK!
Rob Davis, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Alas, true Tory colours unravel.
Stephen Harrison, London,
You poor souls. The world teams with people; the atmosphere heaves with carbon dioxide; energy prices bleed the homeless and hungry; you have a lousy cricket team. Just a thought, but should not these be the issues which engage you?
John Arlidge, Stanthorpe, Australia
It's a non-issue, let's move on and not reify the issue.
James O' Reilly-Ryan, Barcelona, Cataluña
of course its an issue, a UK govt party just systematically offended some black citizens and immigrate, whatever debate made by the torys was destoyed by this derogatory phrase. even the word slaves would have been more approriate than the n word. if this isn't bad go say it to a black guy
Casey Drake, London, UK
I think one would be hard pressed to find anyone under 45 who knows the phrase;"Nigger in the wood pile" I never remembered it being racist.
If you dislike me because of the colour of my skin that is your problem not mine.
No insult was meant and therefore no insult taken.
Get real.
Frank Madigan, Capreol, Canada
But it is an issue, Jay Walker. It is indicative of certain existential, backward Tory attitudes. No other party has had such frequent race-related embarrassments (e.g. parliamentary researchers "blacking up").
James Thompson, London, U.K.
If anybody is genuinely offended by such a remark I can only offer my sympathies to these sensitive souls.
Taipei John , Taipei ,
It's an expression. Yes it is outdated and should no longer be used, but Dixon-Smith grew up in an age when it's use was commonplace, and old habits die hard. I'm sure he felt embarrassment as soon as it slipped out. If it is racist, then most black rappers are also racist against blacks.
Stuart, Chelmsford, UK
How ridiculous, where will this end? Let's see if people now get criticised up for using the word niggardly - remember David Howard in Washingon who resigned in 1999 after using it even though it has no race related meaning whatsoever?
Oliver, London,
Can we let them get on with the important stuff please? Like finding ways to support safety and happiness in their people, and building Britain's place in the world [Shakes head, rolls eyes!]
Martin, Sydney,
No Jay, no. It is not a non issue. Why is it so difficult for people to understand that this is a deeply offensive word when spoken by people who are not black, due to its use as during a time when a section of society were treated like animals simply because their skin colour was different.
Alastair, London,
the remark is a nothing - It is an non issue really.
Jay Walker, Oxfordshire, UK
What is this country coming to. This is an expression that people of his generation are used to using, and I doubt there are any racial connotations whatsoever, save for the PC brigade. The UK has spawned an industry of PC monitors who add nothing whilst taking a lot out. New Labour OK, I think not.
Geoff Lusk, Mrgueron, France