Big Brother Cleared Of Wrong

Channel 4 has been cleared over this summer's Big Brother race row.

Media watchdog Ofcom ruled that the broadcaster was right to show student Emily Parr using the word "n****r" because the programme made clear that her comment was offensive and unacceptable.

The regulator also rejected viewer accusations of double standards over Channel 4's decision to evict Parr while keeping in a housemate who used "homophobic" language.

Welsh contestant Laura Williams twice used the term "p**f" on the show - but the first comment went unchallenged and the second earned her only a reprimand in the Diary Room.

Parr's comment and subsequent departure prompted 450 complaints to Ofcom, while Williams attracted a further 200.

A number of viewers complained that the word "p**f" is just as offensive to gay people as "n****r" is to black people.

But in a ruling published today, Ofcom cleared the programme of discrimination and double standards, adding that the word presented some difficulties for regulators.