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News in Brief: 24/04/2014

Top Gear producer apologises for racist Jeremy Clarkson joke

BIGOTRY: Top Gear’s producer was forced to apologise yesterday after Jeremy Clarkson broadcast a “joke” that sparked a complaint of racism.

The March episode featured a scene where the motoring show’s stars built a bridge over the River Khwae Yai in Thailand.

As an Asian man walked over it the controversial presenter said: “That is a proud moment, but there’s a slope on it.” Slope is an derogatory term for Asian people.

Actor Somi Guha complained to the BBC that the phrase was an example of “casual racism” and “gross misconduct.”

NHS: The Royal College of Midwives accused hospital chiefs yesterday of “burying their heads in the sand” over shortages.

Criticism comes as Freedom of Information figures suggested a quarter of NHS trusts had not assessed their workforce needs for at least four years.

The midwives’ organisation said senior staff were avoiding doing the calculation because they knew they could not afford to plug any gaps it would expose.

 

FUND: A concert to raise funds for a memorial to a Nigerian man killed in Leeds 45 years ago is to be held next weekend.

The body of David Oluwale was pulled from the River Aire in Leeds on May 4 1969. He had suffered mental health problems and became homeless as a result.

Two police officers Sergeant Kenneth Kitching and Inspector Geoffrey Ellerker were accused of hounding him mercilessly. He was regularly beaten, removed from the city and dumped.

The event will take place at the Left Bank centre, Cardigan Road, Saturday May 3, 7pm to 10pm.

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