THE DAUGHTER of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher caused outrage last week after referring to a black tennis player as a golliwog during an off-air onversation.

Carol Thatcher worked as a roving reporter on the BBCs The One Show, but the corporation has said they have no plans to use Thatcher again after she made he offensive remark.

It is believed that she made the comment about a male player involved in the Australian Open. Thatcher had been speaking in the green room with the shows presenter, Adrian Chiles, and other members of the production team. A BBC source said Chiles was Òvery shockedÓ and others in the room told Thatcher they found her

language offensive.

A spokesman for the BBC said: The BBC considers any language of

a racist nature wholly unacceptable. We have raised the issue with the

individual concerned and are discussig it as a matter of

urgency. Both the BBC and Thatchers spokesperson have refused to

reveal the identity of the player concerned.

A spokesman for Thatcher said: ÒShe made a light aside

about this tennis player and his similarity to the golliwog on the

jam pot when she was growing up. Theres no way, obviously,

that she would condone any racist comment.

Thatcher has called her comments a silly joke.

Carol is mortified that anyone should take offence... She has

summarily apologised, her spokesman said.

-- Edited by wasp001 at 12:28, 2009-02-11