Laurence Fox labels ‘woke’ people ‘racist’
The actor told Talk Radio that he did not expect his remarks to create as much controversy as they did.
Laurence Fox has labelled “wokeists” “racist”, following a backlash over his appearance on Question Time last week when he questioned whether the Duchess of Sussex had faced discrimination.
Speaking to Talk Radio, the actor said that he was not expecting people to “kick off” over his remarks on the BBC debate programme.
He also criticised those who complain about racism, adding that in the past he has got it “in the neck” for being a “posh boy actor” who is part of a famous acting dynasty, which includes his father James.
Fox said: “The wokeists, I think, are fundamentally a racist bunch.
“They see colour everywhere.
“Identity politics is extremely racist as well.”
He added that you “can’t be a wokeist without blaming everybody for being racist”.
Fox said that he was fine with people “taking a pop” at him over his views, but added that he stops listening when the criticism spills over into vitriol.
“I just lose interest when someone says ‘I want to unload both barrels of a shotgun in your face’,” he said.
During his Question Time appearance on Thursday, Fox had argued with audience members over whether the media’s treatment of Meghan amounted to racism, saying: “It’s not racism… we’re the most tolerant, lovely country in Europe.
“It’s so easy to throw the charge of racism and it’s really starting to get boring now.”
One woman in the studio criticised Fox for his statements, saying: “What worries me about your comments is you are a white, privileged male who has no experience in this.”
On Sunday, former Lewis star Fox also hit out at black and working class actors for complaining about the industry once they have “five million quid in the bank”.
He told The Delingpod podcast: “The most annoying thing is, the minute a black actor – it’s the same with working class actors – the minute they’ve got five million quid in the bank, every interview they do is about how racism is rampant and rife in the industry.
“And with working class actors, ‘There’s not enough working class actors’.
“You weren’t saying that when you didn’t have a f****** pot to piss in were you?
“You weren’t standing up for the working class actors until you’re now no longer materially working class.”
