Police enter Robinson 'race row'

Anne Robinson will present 13 shows in the US

Police in North Wales are investigating a complaint of racism against TV presenter Anne Robinson.

Ms Robinson caused an outcry by describing Welsh people as "irritating and annoying" while on the BBC Two programme, Room 101.

We are liaising with the Commission for Racial Equality on the matter

North Wales Police

A spokeswoman for North Wales Police said the force had received a complaint from a member of the public, saying the presenter had "incited racial hatred" with her comments.

Meanwhile, Welsh band Manic Street Preachers entered the "race row" when bassist Nicky Wire insulted Ms Robinson during a concert in Cardiff, which was broadcast on Radio 1.

File

The police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm we have received a complaint against Anne Robinson.

"We are currently investigating the matter and are liaising with the Commission for Racial Equality on the matter. We will submit a file to the Crown Prosecution Service in due course."

Ms Robinson herself has said that people upset by her remarks about the Welsh should "find a sense of humour".

The BBC presenter was speaking in Los Angeles during a visit to promote the American version of The Weakest Link.

They know my fee - I'm very expensive

Anne Robinson

Speaking at the Los Angeles headquarters of the NBC TV network, she was unrepentant - pointing out that some of her comments had been complimentary towards the Welsh.

Members of the Welsh Select Committee at the Commons have asked the presenter to come to Westminster to "explain herself".

Pay

But Ms Robinson said she would only attend "if they pay me like these shows pay me".

"They know my fee - my agents are here. I'm very expensive."

To insult the Welsh nation once was wrong. To repeat the insult less than a week later is outrageous

Martyn Jones MP

She said MPs were welcome to go to her, if that made it cheaper.

Ms Robinson expressed a lack of faith in politicians' ability to understand her motives.

She said: "You find me a politician who watches television and I will go along and debate with them.

"I'm not wasting my time with them."

She added that her original comments had been made in the context of a fun show.

Repeat

The BBC has refused to cancel a repeat screening of the programme on Sunday despite a call from MP Martyn Jones to drop the programme.

"To insult the Welsh nation once was wrong. To repeat the insult less than a week later is outrageous," he said.

The US version of The Weakest Link will be aired for the first time next month. Ms Robinson has signed a deal with NBC to present 13 episodes.

"It'll be even more phenomenally successful here than it is in Britain," she said in Los Angeles.

"Mainly because the audiences we see from America on the chat shows - they're clearly articulate and quite capable of debating with me."