Jeremy Vine has been accused of ‘race baiting’ the nation after he pointed out on his TV show that all the mourners at Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday will be white.
The veteran presenter made the comments during Friday’s edition of his hit Channel 5 show.
Prince Philip’s funeral plans have been stripped back in line with the government’s Covid social distancing guidelines.
Only 30 guests will be able to attend and Her Majesty The Queen will be sat alone on the day.
Talking about the funeral, Jeremy said: “We are going to see a group of 30 people who are going to be at this very restricted funeral, and I’m imagining it will be 30 people who are white.
(Image: Channel 5)
“I’m just trying to think whether there’s anybody of colour in there and I don’t think so.”
He added to the panel: “Do you think that’s a problem?”
While all members of the guest list are indeed white, they are of mixed nationality with The Queen personally inviting some of her late husband’s German relatives.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle has been advised not to travel to the UK due to being heavily pregnant.
(Image: REUTERS)
Jeremy’s comments sparked outcry on social media with viewers accusing him of trying to stoke racial tensions.
One person wrote: “Jeremy Vine should be ashamed of himself trying to bring in race to the funeral of Prince Philip. Except for Harry’s wife there aren’t any people of colour, I am very disappointed him I used to think he was OK not now.”
Another added: “Jeremy Vine has confirmed he is is a race baiting.”
(Image: SplashNews.com)
A third timed in: “Jeremy Vine turning the Duke.s funeral into race issue can anybody get any lower what a nasty dangerous poisonous thought, makes one wonder who is the racist?”
A fourth let rip: “If you Google ‘Jeremy Vine Family’ it throws up a picture of his family.
“Anyway, low and behold but they’re ALL WHITE so it’s a fair bet that any 30 family members at a family funeral of his will be white too so therefore by his definition Jeremy Vine is a racist. Quid pro quo.”
A rep for Jeremy Vine has been contacted by Daily Star for comment.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
