Mexico complains over offensive comments expressed on BBC's Top Gear

Mexico complains over offensive comments expressed on BBC's Top Gear

2011-02-02 22:04:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- Mexico on Tuesday sent a letter in protest over the offensive comments expressed on BBC's Top Gear, EL Universal newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Eduardo Medina Mora, Mexico's Ambassador in London, wrote the letter after the "offensive, xenophobic and humiliating" comments made about the country and its citizens.

"The presenters of the show resorted to outrageous, vulgar and inexcusable insults to stir bigoted feelings against the Mexican people, their culture, as well as their official representative in the United Kingdom," the letter read.

On January 30, Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May made jokes of the Mexican sports vehicle Mastretta. The trio later continued talking about the country, its culture and people, calling them "lazy."

The hosts said that the vehicles reflected characteristics of their country of origin and Hammonds described the Mexican car as "lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, and leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat."

In addition, Clarkson said that the show will not receive any complaints as the Mexico's ambassador would be asleep. The presenters also described Mexican food as "refried sick."

"These offensive, xenophobic and humiliating remarks only serve to reinforce negative stereotypes and perpetuate prejudice against Mexico and its people," wrote Median Mora in his letter.

Medina Mora demanded a public apology to BBC for the humiliating comments. The media giant refused to comment on the issue and added that it will respond directly to the Ambassador.

Top Gear won the most popular factual prize at last week's National TV Awards. The show is known for its hosts' edgy jibes. In October 2010, a Ferrari joke made in the show was also deemed as offensive by media regulator Ofcom.

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