The Sun reported: FURIOUS viewers have flooded the BBC with complaints after cockney film star Ray Winstone branded Scots TRAMPS.
The comments were part of
a section on Scottish independence and sparked around 100 complaints to the BBC/Ofcom whingeing about supposed racism. Guest presenter Winstone quipped: To be fair the Scottish economy has its strengths --- its
chief exports being oil, whisky, tartan and tramps.
He then went on to ask the audience if we should just tell the Scots to bugger off . Dozens stood up and cheered in agreement. Team captain Ian Hislop also
joined in the fun suggesting that Mars bars could be the new currency north of the border. The BBC's Response We've received complaints from some viewers who were unhappy with comments made about Scotland
during Have I Got News For You on Friday 26th April. Have I Got News For You is a topical and satirical entertainment panel show and as such contains jokes and provocative comment rather than genuine political reporting or debate.
The guest host's material, including the questions and extra jokes he has written, do not reflect the opinions of the BBC, they are jokes concerning the major news stories of the week which are intended to be enjoyed by as great a proportion of the
audience as possible. The programme has dealt with many subjects over the last 20 years and we don't believe the way the subject of Scotland was handled in this edition would have gone against audience expectations for the show.
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