Sugar accused of bullying 'Apprentice' star

Sir Alan Sugar has been accused of bullying Apprentice candidate Michael Sophocles.

Top Liverpool lawyer Rex Makin claimed that Sugar was "disgusting" for quizzing Sophocles about his Jewish background in the most recent episode of the BBC One reality show. Makin is a prominent member of the city's Jewish community.

Sugar was incredulous in the boardroom when Sophocles admitted that he did not understand the concept of kosher chicken, despite describing himself as "a good Jewish boy" on his CV. The chicken confusion had been one of a series of blunders which resulted in Michael's team losing a challenge which saw the contestants purchasing goods in Marrakech.

In a confrontation with Michael, Sugar - who is Jewish himself - demanded: "In your CV, the first thing you wrote on it is 'I'm a good Jewish boy', is this right? If you are unsure, we can always pull your trousers down and check." Sophocles then explained that he is only half-Jewish.

Commenting on the boardroom showdown, Makin told the Liverpool Daily Post: "What Sugar said is absolutely disgusting. To bully someone like he did and demand to know the extent of their religious practices is terrible. If the boy was circumcised, why should he have to drop his pants and prove it?

"Whether you are full or half Jewish all depends on your mother, not what phrases you understand. Sugar should know this. He is a positive horror and no-one with half a brain should watch him."

However, Leslie Bunder, who edits Jewish website Jewtastic.com, said that Sugar should be praised for his boardroom comments.

He said: "The show was tongue-in-cheek and very entertaining. I would like to thank it for raising the profile of the Jewish communities and important Jewish issues."