Robinson remarks 'not racist'

Abrasive style: Robinson hosts The Weakest Link

Television presenter Anne Robinson has been cleared of racism by Broadcasting Standards Commission over her comments that she finds the Welsh "irritating and annoying".

But the standards watchdog said the comments by the 57-year-old The Weakest Link host "came close to the boundaries of acceptability".

The comments, broadcast on BBC Two's Room 101 programme, provoked a record 427 complaints to the BSC.

The ruling comes as the US version of The Weakest Link - which Ms Robinson is presenting - makes its debut on the NBC channel.

Neither the overall content nor the style of this programme was racist

BSC

A storm of protest erupted after the former journalist named the Welsh as one of her pet hates on Room 101.

She said: "I've never taken to them. What are they for?"

Ms Robinson was criticised in Parliament by Welsh MPs, and North Wales Police are investigating an allegation that the comments incited racial hatred.

But the BSC ruled that "neither the overall content nor the style of this programme was racist".

The committee also considered Wales' position as a constituent nation of the UK and its achievements, both historical and current.

These, it considered, gave Wales "a strength and resilience not available to other more vulnerable groups".

Ms Robinson has recently "made peace" with the Welsh, giving her services for free to a Welsh Tourist Board Easter publicity campaign.

She appeared in a t-shirt emblazoned with the message "Wales Open for Easter".

Ms Robinson's abrupt style as host of The Weakest Link, where poorly-performing contestants are berated for their lack of knowledge, has proved a ratings success for the BBC.