WILL STAY ON

Call for probe into Miriam’s sick Boris jibe

THE media watchdog has been urged to investigate Channel 4 after it aired comments by actress Miriam Margolyes in which she said she had wanted Boris Johnson to die from Covid-19.

Yesterday there was growing anger about the way the broadcaster has handled the hugely controversial remarks made on Friday night’s episode of chat show The Last Leg.

One Tory MP said Ofcom should investigate and ‘demand an apology’ from Channel 4. Another Tory MP expressed disscandal. belief at how ‘Left-wing luvvies’ felt this type of remark was acceptable.

The row was sparked when presenter of the show Adam Hills asked Miss Margolyes how she felt the Government had handled the virus crisis so far.

Speaking from her home through a video link, the actress, 78, replied: ‘Appallingly, of course, appallingly. It’s a disgrace, it’s a I had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die. I wanted him to die.

‘Then I thought that will reflect badly on me... so then I wanted him to get better.’

When asked if it would apologise to Mr Johnson, a Channel 4 spokesman said the programme was live and ‘unexpected comments can happen’.

But there was fury from the Conservatives about the comments from the long-time Labour supporter. Bill Cash, the Tory MP for Stone, said: ‘It is an outrageous comment to make and completely in flagrant breach of the broadcasting act.

‘I believe that Ofcom should look into it and demand an apology.’

And fellow Tory MP Andrew Bridgen added: ‘You really have to wonder what world these left-wing luvvies inhabit and who they talk to that they think these sorts of comments are acceptable.’

Ofcom said last night any complaints would have to be assessed before a decision is made on whether to investigate.