Channel 4 apologises after Jon Snow says he has ‘never seen so many white people’ at pro-Brexit rally

'This was an unscripted observation at the very end of a long week of fast-moving Brexit developments'

Channel 4 News said it "regrets" any offence caused after presenter Jon Snow said he had “never seen so many white people in one place” as he reported on pro-Brexit protests.

The 71-year-old broadcaster made the remark as he described the scene near Downing Street where crowds of Leave supporters had gathered on Friday night to protest the delay to Brexit.

Speaking live for Channel 4 News from Parliament Square, he said: “We’ve just got these pictures in which were taken nearby. Police are now wearing riot gear.

“Police dogs are patrolling. The mood has changed.

"We cannot confirm whether any arrests have been made.

"It has been the most extraordinary day. A day which has seen … I’ve never seen so many white people in one place.

He added: "It’s an extraordinary story… there are people everywhere, there are crowds everywhere."

Mr Snow faced a backlash online after clips of his comments on the live news programme were circulated on social media.

One person wrote: “@jonsnowC4 can you please explain your need to proclaim ‘you’ve never seen so many white people in one place?”

Broadcaster and journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer also shared the video clip of Mr Snow’s remarks and wrote: “This is unbelievably shocking from a national broadcaster. “I’ve never seen so many white people in one place.” Which of course, for some reason, is a bad thing.”

In response to the criticism Mr Snow’s remarks drew, Channel 4 said in a statement: "This was an unscripted observation at the very end of a long week of fast-moving Brexit developments.

"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."

A spokesperson for the regulator Ofcom said they would have to wait until Monday to say how many complaints, if any, had been registered regarding the incident.

"We will assess any complaints we do receive before deciding whether or not to investigate," the spokesperson said.

Mr Snow’s comments came on a day of protests outside parliament and Downing street on the day Britain was due to leave the EU.

Many who had expected to celebrate Brexit outside Parliament were left disappointed when Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement was rejected for a third time by MPs.

Five people were arrested during the demonstrations, including two for assault, one for assaulting a police officer and one for drunk and disorderly behaviour, according to the Metropolitan Police.

At least two MPs were abused by pro-Brexit supporters in the streets outside parliament. Labour's Lisa Nandy said she was “accosted by people shouting f****** traitor”, while the SNP’s Joanna Cherry said she was “told to go back to my own country”.

Additional reporting by PA