Backhand compliment

BBC tennis commentator Andrew Castle is the latest public figure to fall prey to the politically correct moral thought police. Referring to Marcus Willis’s stunning girlfriend Jennifer Bate, a dentist, he said: ‘It’s a pity my dentist doesn’t look like that.’

The ever-alert professionally offended lobby leapt on this remark as sexist and inappropriate and, initially, Mr Castle commendably gave them short shrift.

With sad inevitability, however, he subsequently issued an apology, obviously under pressure from his spineless bosses at the BBC, ever willing to appease selfappointed victim groups. Mr Castle recognised that careers are now destroyed on the altar of political correctness.

But the social justice warriors must have been taken aback by Ms Bate’s response: ‘It’s disappointing that some innocent, funny, light-hearted comments are taken as sexist. It’s hilarious — no offence taken.’

What a refreshing, delightful and sensible lady! Her comments will upset the complainers. She’s a woman, and the social justice narrative dictates that she must be offended, but Ms Bate is obviously made of sterner stuff and is confident in who she is, obviously able to take care of herself.

Her children and her boyfriend are very lucky to have such a positive influence in their lives. KURT CHARLES, Howden, East Yorks.