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Jon Snow: More than 2,000 people complain over Channel 4 News host's ‘white people’ Brexit protest comment

Presenter said during coverage of Westminster rally he had ‘never seen so many white people in one place’

Monday 01 April 2019 18:51 BST

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Jon Snow on pro-Brexit protests: 'I've never seen so many white people in one place'

More than 2,000 people have complained to Ofcom about Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow saying of a pro-Brexit rally that he had “never seen so many white people in one place”.

The broadcasting watchdog said it had received 2,025 complaints since Friday’s programme and was deciding whether to investigate.

The 71-year-old presenter was signing off the bulletin, which was broadcast live, when he made the comments.

Referring to pro-Brexit protesters who brought Westminster to a standstill, he said: “It’s been the most extraordinary day. A day which has seen... I have never seen so many white people in one place, it’s an extraordinary story.

“There are people everywhere, there are crowds everywhere.”

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Pro-Brexit leave the European Union supporters attend a rally in Parliament Square after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

The protest march which started on March 16 in Sunderland, north east England, finished on what was the original date for Brexit to happen before the recent extension

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

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A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square

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Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament

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A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square

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The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament

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A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament

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Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters march outside parliament

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Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters protest outside parliament

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A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament

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A man holds satirical paintings of politicians

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An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London

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Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament

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A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament

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A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament

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A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament

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A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament

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The remark drew online criticism from some commentators, including broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer, who suggested Snow was implying being white was “a bad thing”.

An Ofcom spokeswoman said: “We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”

Channel 4 News said it regretted any offence caused.

“This was an unscripted observation at the very end of a long week of fast-moving Brexit developments,” a spokeswoman said.

“Jon has covered major events such as this over a long career and this was a spontaneous comment reflecting his observation that, in a London demonstration of that size, ethnic minorities seemed to be significantly under-represented.

“We regret any offence caused by his comment.”

Journalists from Channel 4 News and CNN were also harassed by some demonstrators while covering rallies held by several pro-Brexit groups on Friday, the day the UK was originally scheduled to leave the EU.

Two opposition MPs leaving the Commons were subjected to public abuse by Brexiteers, who called them “traitors”.

Police made five arrests, including two for assault.

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