BBC apologises for James’ North gaffe

THE BBC were forced to apologise yesterday after co-commentator and former Ryder Cup captain Mark James suggested that, given Northern Ireland’s golfing purple patch, “maybe they will stop fighting each other”.

As Darren Clarke holed out on the 18th to take the clubhouse lead with a second-round 68, commentator Andrew Cotter made reference to the success of fellow Ulster golfers Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy at consecutive US Opens.

Cotter suggested that should Clarke prevail at Royal St George’s, “Northern Ireland might have to retire from golf on a high.”

It was then James launched into his ill-judged remark.

The BBC’s switchboard lit up with viewers phoning in angry complaints while the corporation’s website was besieged with similar protests, coming in the same week as rioting broke out in Belfast and Derry.

BBC presenter Hazel Irvine, fronting coverage of The Open, apologised on air shortly afterwards.