Former BBC journalist and rector of Edinburgh University is slammed for racism after dubbing Liz Truss’s diverse Secretaries of State as ‘the coconut cabinet’
- Former BBC journalist Iain Macwhirter has been slammed for racism after tweet
- The writer dubbed Liz Truss’ diverse Secretaries of State as ‘the coconut cabinet’
- Critics called on the Scottish Herald columnist to apologise for his ‘racist’ words
- Mr Macwhirter said that his tweet was a joke with ‘unacceptable language’
- The Herald said it has ‘suspended his columns while [it] investigates further’
A former BBC journalist and rector of Edinburgh University has been slammed for racism after dubbing Liz Truss’s diverse Secretaries of State as ‘the coconut cabinet’.
Iain Macwhirter, who is now a columnist for Scottish paper The Herald, shared a tweet about newly appointed Kwasi Kwarteng, James Cleverly and Suella Braverman which highlighted diversity in the ‘great offices of state’.
It also noted that all three politicians were privately educated.
In his retweet of the message, Mr Macwhirter wrote: ‘The coconut cabinet?’
The offensive term ‘coconut’ describes people who are black but ‘white on the inside’ and builds on cultural stereotypes.
Mr Macwhirter has since deleted the tweet, and shared a new message which includes a link to his column with the Herald.
Iain Macwhirter dubbed Liz Truss’ diverse Secretaries of State as ‘the coconut cabinet’
In his retweet about the great offices of state, Mr Macwhirter wrote: ‘The coconut cabinet?’
In the replies to his new message, the writer has been slammed for racism, with people calling on Mr Macwhirter to apologise
In the replies to his new message, the writer has been slammed for racism, with people calling on Mr Macwhirter to apologise.
‘It’s 2022 and bold as brass you’re calling people coconuts on social media. Absolutely shameless racism, not even embarrassed — disgusting,’ one person replied.
‘I would have thought an apology to your previous racist tweet was more pressing,’ another commenter said.
A third added: ‘This is your first tweet after that racist deletion?’
‘You call yourself a journalist, clearly nothing more than a closet racist,’ another said.
Another commenter added: ‘The longer you wait to apologise for your racist tweet, the worse you’re making it for yourself. Put your ego to the side, do the right thing and wholeheartedly apologise.’
Others suggested that Mr Macwhirter was trying to ‘change the subject’ by sharing a link to his column, but he was criticised for ‘carrying on like nothing happened’.
Mr Macwhirter told MailOnline: ‘Earlier, I made an ironic reference to a term used by some on the left about black people who are deemed traitors to the cause through joining the Tory Party.
‘After I posted it, I realised this joke might give offence and deleted it. It was unacceptable language, wide open to misinterpretation, and I am sincerely sorry for the distress I have caused.
‘I have repeatedly applauded the Conservatives for having the most diverse cabinet in British history.
‘Indeed, I tweeted earlier that the Truss cabinet made the Scottish Government look “hideously white”. I have always championed racial diversity in my columns and I am dismayed that my cack-handed attempt at humour suggested otherwise.’
Mr Macwhirter shared his apology message on Twitter this evening
The Herald has suspended Mr Macwhirter’s column while it investigates
He has since shared this message on Twitter.
A spokesperson for The Herald said: ‘We are aware of an offensive tweet by one of our freelance contributors, Iain Macwhirter.
‘Although the tweet has since been deleted and an apology issued, we have also suspended his columns while we investigate further.’
Mr Macwhirter is a political commentator for both The Herald and The Herald on Sunday. He is a published author and has presented film and radio documentaries.
He has also presented Westminster Live and Holyrood Live.
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