BBC rapped over Iggy Pop Glasto comment

The BBC breached guidelines when it broadcast Iggy Pop saying "paki shop" during an interview at Glastonbury Festival, Ofcom has ruled.

The rock star said the term in a live chat with Jo Whiley in the early hours of June 24. He was explaining where he bought his transparent trousers.

Whiley and producers failed to apologise immediately although an apology was issued the next day following complaints.

Ofcom today said it found the BBC in breach of section 2.3 of its code. It said previous research had deemed the term "paki" was "generally considered very offensive".

It added: "Ofcom does not assess whether behaviour or language is racist, this is a matter for the relevant authorities, such as the police.

"However, Ofcom does require that generally accepted standards are applied in television programmes and particularly, as in this case, when comments that are considered offensive are made live on-air and remain unchallenged.

"In considering this matter, Ofcom took into account that the programme was transmitted live from the festival, where occasionally extreme views and behaviour might be expected to be found.

"Ofcom noted that although the term 'paki shop' in this instance was not intended to be pejorative, its use was offensive; and the broadcaster failed in its responsibility to ensure that the offence caused was justified by the context, for example by lessening it through issuing an on-air apology as soon as possible after the incident occurred."

The BBC accepted it was offensive and said it regretted the lapse. It said Iggy Pop's "wild" reputation and lateness of the broadcast were mitigating factors, however.