Harry Enfield sparks diplomatic row over 'racist' Filipina maid sketch » Communities » 24dash.com

The Philippine community in the UK attacked comedian Harry Enfield today for a sketch in which a man urges his neighbour to "mount" a Filipina maid.

A petition has been launched condemning the BBC show Harry And Paul for the "disgraceful" skit which is "tantamount to racism".

The Philippine government has already protested about the sketch, which was shown on September 26.

And the Philippine embassy in London sent a letter of protest to the BBC, the Secretary of State for Women and the Press Complaints Commission.

During the sketch, a man can be seen urging his lethargic neighbour to have sex with a Filipina maid, who is wriggling provocatively.

He encourages the neighbour to "mount her". And at one point he tells the maid, wearing a grey uniform and apron, to "present your rear".

The petition, attributed to the Philippine Foundation, calls for the "re-education" of the BBC.

It says: "This particular sketch is completely disgraceful, distasteful and a great example of gutter humour."

The petition accuses the BBC and the show of "inciting stereo-typed racial discrimination, vulgarity and violation of the maid's human rights".

And it said the sketch was "tantamount to racism and (the) worst sexual abuse and exploitation of the hapless young Filipina domestic worker employee".

The Foundation said the thousands of Filipino domestic workers resident in the UK were "well known to be hard-working, trustworthy and responsible".

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We have not received any formal complaint."

Tiger Aspect Productions, which makes the show, was not immediately available for comment.

Enfield, 47, was crowned Loaded Legend at an awards ceremony last week.

He has reportedly said he was "banned" by his producers from playing a Muslim hoody and a paedophile Catholic priest in the series.

The petition had received 269 signatures by 10am today, with the figure quickly climbing.

In the Philippines, foreign secretary Alberto Romulo summoned British ambassador Peter Beckingham to discuss the matter.

The British Embassy in Manila was forced to issue a statement saying the BBC has editorial independence and the views expressed and portrayed by the network "are completely independent" from the Government.

It said Filipinos in Britain "are an important part of British society, making invaluable contributions to our scientific and service sectors, and enriching UK culture".

A spokesman for Tiger Aspect Productions said: "Harry And Paul is a post-watershed comedy sketch series and as such tackles many situations in a comedic way.

"Set in this context, the sketch in question is so far beyond the realms of reality as to be absurd - and in no way is intended to demean or upset any viewer."

Michael Duque, who recently founded the Philippine Foundation to help Filipinos living in the UK, said: "The sketch went beyond humour. It was below the belt."

The full-time nurse said the feeling was that Filipinos were being "specifically targeted".

The Foundation, which has met with the Philippine embassy in London, said it was now going to send a formal complaint to the BBC, along with the petition.

There are also plans for a silent vigil of protest at White City.