Commission for Racial Equality writes to C4

The Commission for Racial Equality has written to Channel 4 over allegations of racism on Celebrity Big Brother.

"We are writing to Channel 4 to remind them of their legal responsibilities as a public broadcaster, under the terms of the Race Relations Amendment Act, to eliminate racial discrimination, promote racial equality and to promote good relations between people from different racial groups," the Commission said in a statement. "We are continuing to keep the programme under review and welcome the decision of Ofcom to investigate individual complaints.

"It is not for the Commission for Racial Equality to take action on this matter at present. It would be for the person who considered they were being racially abused to make a complaint to the programme-maker in the first instance. Viewers who find contestants' comments distasteful should similarly raise the matter with the broadcaster."