ROWAN, YOU’VE BEAN A RACIST BACKING BORIS

Comic blasted on burkas

MR BEAN star Rowan Atkinson has been accused of being a racist after backing Boris Johnson in the burka row.

Former foreign secretary Boris sparked outrage by comparing women in the veil to “letter boxes” and “bank robbers”. He is facing an official Tory party probe over the comments. But Blackadder star Rowan insisted Johnson should not apologise, and defended his right to poke fun at religion. The actor said: “As a lifelong beneficiary of the freedom to make jokes about religion, I do think that Boris Johnson’s joke about wearers of the burka resembling letter boxes is a pretty good one.

“You should really only apologise for a bad joke. On that basis, no apology is required.”

The 63-year-old funnyman’s comments caused a storm on Twitter.

One user wrote: “Well thanks Rowan Atkinson for ruining Mr Bean and Johnny English for me.

“BJ isn’t a comedian, he’s trying to be the most powerful man in the country.”

Another said: “Rowan Atkinson really let the whole team down.

“He was nicer as Mr Bean, when he didn’t speak utter nonsense about what makes a good joke.”

A third wrote: “Saw Rowan Atkinson trending and thought, “OH NO, HE’S DEAD! It’s worse, he’s racist.”

But Adil Ray, the creator of BBC One sitcom Citizen Khan, leapt to the comic’s defence.

He said: “I agree with Rowan Atkinson, there’s no point at all anyone being offended by Johnson’s comments.”

A BUS driver has been disciplined after asking a young Muslim mum to remove her face veil.

The incident happened on a First service in Bristol.