I did say in context, Fionn. There is nothing inherantly defamatory about it on its own. When you realise however that a labour polititian said it in answer to remarks from a conservative then I am afraid only the very naive would think the remark was made innocently.

In answer to the first point - yes it is racist. Anything said about race is racist. Not necessarily good or bad but racist all the same. If I had intended to say anyone did hold the view that one race was better or worse than another I would have said bigoted. However, we are not arguing semantics.

Please re-read my post. I said it was stupid - pointing out the obvious always is. I said it was inflamatory. It is. All those national front members will be inflamed by the remark and wondering how best to make mileage from it. I said it was as racist as anything said by the opposition. I think any politician should realise that anything said about race will be construed as racist by some others.

Not once did I claim it to be a racist comment or accuse Mr Cook of being a bigot. Far from it. So why accuse me of doing so and then take the opportunity to defame my name further still by saying I had not switched on my brain?

The original post is far more about the polititians, all of whom I dislike equaly, and their favourite disease, foot IN mouth (?) than about racism or party politics.

Please give me credit with some sense and afford me a little respect. That is all I ask and I promise I will do the same for you. Even if you do dislike my sense of humour why try to read any bad intentions into it. Better just say you don't know me.

After all, I don't want to accuse you of being a humourist do I?

Cheers

DtG