London 'is not an English city', comic claims

John Cleese has been blasted after repeating his assertion that London is ‘not really an English city’.

The 79-year-old Fawlty Towers star tweeted this morning: ‘Some years ago I opined that London was not really an English city any more.

‘Since then, virtually all my friends from abroad have confirmed my observation. So there must be some truth in it...

‘I note also that London was the UK city that voted most strongly to remain in the EU.’

The Leave-voting comedian first made the assertion in 2011, saying: ‘I love having different cultures around but when the parent culture kind of dissipates you're left thinking "well, what's going on?"’

He said he had moved to Bath because it ‘feels like the England that I grew up in’.

His return to the topic today sparked anger and disappointment among those who don’t share his views.

Paul Sinha said: ’If you don't like London, you're just someone for whom the benefits don't outweigh the flaws. Call it "not English" though, and you're a dog whistling prick.’

Friday Night Dinner creator Robert Popper tweeted: ‘Dear @johncleese, you were my comedy hero until I read this subtle/not subtle piece of racism. Shame on you.’

And journalist Jon Stone said: ‘The only thing damaging British culture here is John Cleese turning out to be a bigot and thus spoiling the enjoyment of his back-catalogue ‘

Others pointed out the hypocrisy of Cleese bemoaning a multicultural after becoming an immigrant himself last year.

Then the comedian announced that he was leaving the UK for the small Caribbean island of Nevis, where the majority of inhabitants are descendants of West African slaves, saying: ‘The relationship between the races is absolutely superb. The people there are really kind.’

Writer Caitlin Moran tweeted: ‘John Cleese is in the process of moving to Nevis, in the Caribbean. I hope there's a old Nevisian comedian ready to moan about how Charlestown won't "really be a Nevisian town any more." Goddamn immigrants.’

Published: 29 May 2019