Wes Streeting strongly criticized a Reform MP for making what he termed as “racist” remarks regarding advertisements being “full of Black people, full of Asian people.” The Health Secretary condemned Sarah Pochin’s comments on TalkTV as a “disgrace” and highlighted the lack of response from Nigel Farage on the issue. Deputy PM David Lammy called for the Reform leader to dismiss her over the “highly racist” statements.
Following backlash, Ms. Pochin apologized for any offense caused by her statement about seeing ads predominantly featuring Black and Asian individuals. She clarified that her comments were poorly articulated but reiterated her belief that many adverts fail to accurately represent British society.
In response to the controversy, Wes Streeting stated that Ms. Pochin’s regret seemed insincere, emphasizing the need to address and combat racism in society. He criticized the Reform party for what he perceived as a selective view of national identity.
David Lammy also condemned the MP’s remarks, labeling them as mean, nasty, and racist. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of various communities in the country and called for accountability from political leaders.
The dispute arose during a TalkTV phone-in, where Ms. Pochin agreed with a caller’s criticism of the lack of diversity in advertising. She later clarified that her intention was to highlight what she viewed as an overemphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the advertising industry.
Zia Yusuf of Reform UK defended Ms. Pochin, stating that her comments were misinterpreted and that there are valid concerns about representation in advertising. The Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson criticized Ms. Pochin’s apology as an attempt to evade responsibility and urged Nigel Farage to take action against racism within the party.
Cookie and data policy information are included in the website footer for user acknowledgment and consent.