News Headlines
Today's news in full
News Summaries
Syndication

11th June 2008

Ofcom, the UK’s independent regulator for the communications industries, is considering whether to launch a formal investigation into a remark made by a commentator during coverage of last weekend’s Formula One Canadian Grand Prix by the ITV1 channel.

During a pre-race ‘grid walk commentator Martin Brundle spoke to F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone about repairs that had been made to the circuit saying, "There are some pikeys there at turn ten putting tarmac down - what do you think of that?"

Seven complaints were received after Brundle's remark. A spokeswoman for Ofcom said that the organisation would look at the complaints in relation to the rules and the broadcasting code before deciding whether to launch a formal investigation. If the code has been breached ITV1 could face a fine or being forced to broadcast Ofcom's full ruling.

A spokesman for ITV said, "We apologise for any offence caused by this remark."

A spokesman for Equality and Human Rights Commission described Brundle’s remark as, "highly derogatory".

<< Previous

Whole Day's News

Next >>