Daily Mail: BBC is too scared to allow jokes about Islam, says Ben Elton

(Ed: Apparently from an original interview in Third Way magazine.)

Comedian Ben Elton has said the BBC is too "scared" to poke fun at Islam.

He accused the broadcasting company of allowing programmes to run jokes about Christianity and vicars.

However, he claimed bosses were too politically correct and worried about a negative backlash to do the same about imams.

In an interview, Mr Elton, 48, who admits he has little religious faith, said: "I think it all starts with people nodding whenever anyone says, 'As a person of faith...

"I believe part of that is due to the genuine fear that the authorities and the community have about provoking the radical elements of Islam."

Referring to comic programmes such as The Vicar Of Dibley, starring Dawn French, he said: "There's no doubt about it, the BBC will let vicar gags pass but they would not let imam gags pass." Read more
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