BBC hits back at Silent Witness complaints as crime thriller sparks outrage with ‘racist slur’ on show

THE BBC has hit back after Silent Witness fans were left outraged by a "racist" slur on Monday night's episode.

The beloved crime drama, which started back in 1996, returned for a new series this week.

Viewers watched as Lace Akpojaro and Jude Cudjoe reprised their roles as Roy and Leo.

During the first episode Roy spoke to his nephew Leo after he was spotted speaking to a concerned family member.

Roy asked: "Who's whitey?" before Leo replies: "Kevin. He's my aunt's friend. He likes to think he's looking after me."

However, fans were left outraged that the character used the word "whitey" during the scene and flocked to social media to comment.

One said: "Is that not deemed racist? I would personally not say the equivalent to a person of colour as I feel that would be racist towards them."

A second wrote: "BBC why do you think it was right for a black person to call a white person 'whitey' in last night's programme."

"How flipping tiresome is the one-way racism on these woke programmes?" questioned a third.

While a fourth commented: "@Ofcom I think you should investigate the use of 'whitey' as it’s truly racist and I find it totally unacceptable?"

The pile on from Silent Witness fans forced Beeb bosses to release a statement, defending the show and scene in question.

A spokesperson said: "Silent Witness is an established fictional drama series set in the modern world. The dialogue used was in keeping with this character who is not depicted in a sympathetic light.

"Roy Lock is an antagonist who uses threats and intimidation. He has convictions for Class A drugs, theft by menace, trafficking, GBH and has spent nine years in prison."

Silent Witness is available now on BBC iPlayer.

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