Boycott to stay as expert despite racist remarks on knighthood
Boycott will not be asked to resign from his role as an expert in the Test Match Special (TMS) radio show, the BBC has confirmed after the former England captain-turned-commentator made racial remarks on the topic of getting a ‘knighthood’.
Boycott, a staunch personality on the field as well as in the commentary box known for his straight-forward remarks, had created a controversy when he opined he would have to ‘black up’ if he has to receive knighthood.
“He has rightly apologised unreservedly for these clearly unacceptable comments. He will be part of the team for the West Indies Tests,” a BBC spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Guardian.
According to the report, Boycott, who is ‘jokingly referred to as Sir Geoffrey’ on-air, had also made a stinging remark that the honour has been handed out to cricketers from the Caribbean like ‘confetti’.
Activist Desmond Jaddoo, meanwhile, said Boycott’s comments were ‘like something from the dark ages’. “They were ill-advised and ill-conceived. The West Indian cricketers received knighthoods because they excelled on the cricket field. He should take a long, hard look at why he doesn’t have a knighthood rather than offending those who do have one,” he said.
Edgbaston’s Labour MP Preet Gill said, “Let’s call it what it is, it’s irresponsible, it’s racism.”
In 1998, Boycott was convicted by a French court for beating his former lover Margaret Moore, and the cricketer had described it as one of the reasons for not getting the knighthood.