British police are reportedly investigating entertainment personality Danny Baker over a controversial tweet about the newest royal baby, whose parents are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
What did the tweet say?
The tweet, which has since been deleted, was a picture of Prince Harry and wife Meghan holding their newborn son, Archie. However, instead of Archie, the picture showed the parents holding a chimpanzee dressed in clothes.
Baker added the caption: "Royal Baby leaves hospital."
The tweet contained obvious racist connotations because Meghan Markel is half-black, which makes Archie the first multiracial royal child.
The tweet resulted in Baker being fired from his radio hosting job with the BBC. The media company said Baker's tweet "goes against the values we as a station aim to embody."
"Danny's a brilliant broadcaster but will no longer be presenting a weekly show with us," the BBC
said.
But why are police investigating?
According
to Sky News, Metropolitan Police, which is responsible for law enforcement in London's 32 boroughs, confirmed they are investigating the incident.
"An allegation has been received by the Metropolitan Police Service on Thursday, 9 May in relation to a tweet published on the 8 May," a police spokesperson said. "As is routine, the allegation will be reviewed and assessed by specialist officers."
Unlike the U.S., certain incidents of racism can be considered criminal offenses in the United Kingdom, which doesn't guarantee its citizens the same level of speech protections as the U.S. Constitution provides Americans.
Has Baker apologized?
He posted a lengthy apology on Twitter Friday, characterizing the incident as a "genuine, naive and catastrophic mistake."
Good morning, everyone.
Following one of the worst days of my life I just want to formally apologise for the outrage I caused and explain how I got myself into this mess.
I chose the wrong photo to illustrate a joke. Disastrously so.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose)
May 10, 2019
In attempting to lampoon privilege & the news cycle I went to a file of goofy pictures & saw the chimp dressed as a Lord and thought, "That's the one!" Had I kept searching I might have chosen General Tom Thumb or even a a baby in a crown. But I didn't. God knows I wish had.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose)
May 10, 2019
Minutes later I was alerted by followers that this royal baby was of course mixed race and waves of panic and revulsion washed over me. f**k, what had I done? I needed no lessons on the centuries slurs equating simians and people of colour. Racism at it's basest.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose)
May 10, 2019
I am aware black people do not need a white man to tell them this. Deleting it immediately and apologising for the awful gaffe I even foolishly tried to make light of it. (My situation that is, not the racism involved.) Too late and here I am.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose)
May 10, 2019
I would like once and for all to apologise to every single person who, quite naturally, took the awful connection at face value. I understand that and all of the clamour and opprobrium I have faced since. I am not feeling sorry for myself. I fucked up. Badly.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose)
May 10, 2019
But it was a genuine, naive and catastrophic mistake. There is of course little media/twitter traction in such a straight-forward explanation. The picture in context as presented was obviously shamefully racist. It was never intended so - seriously who on earth would 'go there'?
— Danny Baker (@prodnose)
May 10, 2019
Anyway i am now paying the price for this crass & regrettable blunder and rightly so. Probably even this final word from me will extend the mania. ('Dog whistle' anyone?) I would like to thank friends on here for their kinder words and once again - I am so, so sorry.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose)
May 10, 2019
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