BBC News Online: UK: Wales

No police action over Robinson jibes

The comments sparked a furore but no legal action

A number of people had complained to North Wales Police that comments made on the BBC series Room 101 were racist.

Appearing on the show in March, The Weakest Link host Robinson, 57, listed the Welsh as one of her pet hates, describing them as "irritating and annoying" and asking: "What are they for?"

The comments sparked a furore and questions were even raised in parliament. She reportedly received a death threat in reply.

But the Broadcasting Standards Commission, which governs television standards and fairness, did not uphold complaints and said no statement of explanation was necessary from the BBC.

The issue attracted the highest number of complaints to the BSC of any one programme in the year.

'Racial hatred'

Now the police force has also decided it will not follow up complaints from the public that the comments "incited racial hatred."

Police had liased with the Commission for Racial Equality on the issue. Neither did BBC governors discipline Ms Robinson.

She had nominated Welsh people for inclusion in Room 101 - the fictional space in George Orwell's novel 1984 which contains everyone's greatest fear.

She expressed disdain at their use of the Welsh language and commented: "They are always so pleased with themselves"

Welsh civil rights group Cefn called for legal action against the rising former Watchdog star under the Race Relations Act.

Ms Robinson has since made The Weakest Link a regular fixture on US TV screens.

She agreed to promote Wales abroad for the Wales Tourist Board and made a Welsh-themed special of the show, in which she jokingly poked fun at Welsh contestants.