Snow’s ‘never seen so many white people’ comment to be investigated

News host Jon Snow’s remark that he had “never seen so many white people in one place” is being investigated by Ofcom.

The broadcasting watchdog has received 2,644 complaints about his comment on 29 March, which referred to pro-brexit protesters who gathered in Westminster on the day the UK was meant to leave the European Union.

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

The media regulator will also investigate remarks made by 0 Jon Snow: Comment made about pro-brexit protesters

Nigel Farage in the aftermath of Mr Snow’s on-air comment.

Ofcom said it has received five complaints after Mr Farage said on radio station LBC two days later that Mr Snow “should be attacked without doubt” for his previous remark.

Asked by Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former spin doctor, who appeared alongside him on the radio show, why Mr Snow deserved to be attacked, the former Ukip leader said: “Because of his terrible condescending bias.”

Mr Farage later clarified during the same programme that he meant a verbal attack, not a physical one.

An Ofcom spokeswoman said of both incidents: “We’re investigating whether comments made by the presenters on these programmes broke our rules on offensive content.”