LUVVIES AT WAR
Fox wins payout from acting union that called him a ‘disgrace’ – leading to mutiny from members
ACTOR Laurence Fox has been given a payout by actors’ union Equity as it apologised for branding him a ‘disgrace’ over his controversial appearance on Question Time.
But yesterday’s apology sparked huge conflict within the trade union, leading the entire race equality committee to resign.
The furore centres on the ex-Lewis star’s comments on the BBC debate programme in January, when he dismissed suggestions the media’s treatment of Meghan Markle had been racist.
During a heated exchange, a member of the audience accused him of being a ‘white, privileged male’ – which he responded to by saying she was being ‘racist’.
The episode received more than 250 complaints and sparked a social media backlash.
After his appearance, Equity’s minority ethnic members committee described Fox, 41, as a ‘disgrace to our industry’ in comments posted on social media.
Yesterday the union apologised to the Harrow-educated actor for the remarks, triggering a huge row within the organisation.
The race equality committee, formerly the minority ethnic members committee, said ‘all members feel we have no choice but to resign’.
Yesterday its chairman Daniel York Loh said he had quit his position, claiming the apology was ‘not in my name’. He wrote on Twitter: ‘Equity and Laurence Fox can issue as many joint statements and apologies as they like. It’s nothing to do with me and I apologise for nothing #NotInMyName.’
In January Equity admitted it had broken its rules and had been wrong to criticise a member of the profession ‘without consultation with the union’.
In its apology to Fox yesterday it said: ‘We are sorry that in the tweets he was called a “disgrace” by Equity.
‘It was a mistake for Equity as an organisation to criticise him in this way. Nothing in Equity’s later statement was intended as a slur on his character or views or to suggest that he should be denied the ability to work. We would like to make that clear.’
It added: ‘Equity and Laurence Fox condemn prejudice unequivocally in all its forms.’
Fox, who was previously married to actress Billie Piper, has claimed he has received death threats and suffered from ‘temporary insomnia’ since his appearance on Question Time.
He was also criticised for questioning the presence of Sikh soldiers in the World War One movie 1917. Yesterday he thanked the Equity for its apology. He wrote: ‘Hopefully this might [be] an opportunity for us to continue to celebrate diversity in all its forms. Including diversity of opinion.’
A source close to the actor said an out-of-court settlement had been agreed between Fox and Equity.
The insider added: ‘He is pleased and grateful to Equity for this decision. He looks forward now to moving on in his professional and personal life after what has been a very difficult period for him and his family.’
‘No choice but to resign’