Channel 4 apologises over Snow’s ‘so many white people’ comment

News host Jon Snow’s remark that he had “never seen so many white people in one place” has sparked more than 2,000 complaints.

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said it had received 2,025 complaints and is deciding whether to investigate.

The 71-year-old presenter was signing off from Friday evening’s Channel 4 News bulletin when he made the comment.

He was referring, during a live broadcast, to the probrexit protesters who brought Westminster to a standstill.

“It’s been the most extraordinary day,” he said. “A day which has seen … I have never seen so many white people in one place, it’s an extraordinary story.

“There are people everywhere, there are crowds everywhere.”

An Ofcom spokeswoman said: “We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”

The remarks drew criticism online from some viewers who described the comments about “white people” as unnecessary.

In a statement, Channel 4 News said it regretted any offence caused.

“This was an unscripted observation at the very end of a long week of fast-moving Brexit developments,” a spokeswoman said.

“Jon has covered major events such as this over a long career and this was a spontaneous comment reflecting his observation that, in a London demonstration of that size, ethnic minorities seemed to be significantly under-represented.

“We regret any offence caused by his comment.”

Snow is the longest-running presenter of Channel 4 News, having held the role since 1989. He received a Bafta fellowship in 2015, having been named presenter of the year in 2009.