BBC suspends Kilroy over Arabs row

The BBC is taking the Kilroy programme off air after presenter Robert Kilroy-Silk sparked outrage with his comments about Arabs.

In a statement, the BBC said it “strongly disassociates itself” with comments Kilroy-Silk made in his newspaper column at the weekend, and has launched an investigation.

Under the headline “We Owe Arabs Nothing”, he branded Arabs as “suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors”.

The Commission for Racial Equality has referred the matter to the police.

The BBC statement read: “The BBC strongly disassociates itself from the views expressed in an article by Robert Kilroy-Silk in The Sunday Express of 4 January 2004.

“We stress that these comments do not reflect the views of the BBC.

“The BBC is taking the Kilroy programme off air immediately while we investigate this matter fully.”

The daily show was due to go out as usual on Monday but will be replaced by an extended half-hour of BBC Breakfast.