Complaints are said to be well in advance of 20,000 about Big Brother in the racism row, and it isn’t just on these shores which has seen people show their disgust.

The row has reached the world of international diplomatic relations with the prime minister, Tony Blair, and the chancellor, Gordon Brown -
who is visiting Shetty’s home country of India – making public comments
about the show, while the Indian government promised to "take
appropriate measures".
Video showing Indian protesters burning effigies of Big Brother’s
producers has also been aired on television channels after the controversy was widely reported in India.
   

Thus far neither Channel 4 nor programme makers Endemol have indicated that action will be taken against the housemates accused of bullying or that any changes will be made to the show.

Gordon Brown said he condemned anything that might harm Britain’s reputation for tolerance when asked about the controversy by local reporters in India. "I understand that in the UK there have already been 10,000 complaints from viewers about these remarks, which people see, rightly, as offensive. I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Anything detracting from this I condemn."

The only plus to come out of this controversy is that the general response from the public has been a good one, condemning the actions of those in the house.

Echoing the sentiment of Brown’s comments, Tony Blair’s official spokesman later told reporters: "What clearly is to be regretted and countered is if there is any perception abroad that in any way we tolerate racism in this country. What the response to the programme has shown is precisely the opposite – that there is no level of toleration in this country for anything which, rightly or wrongly, is perceived to be racist. The message should go out from this country loud and clear that we are a tolerant country and we will not tolerate racism in any way."

It has to be stressed, however, that Blair has not seen any of the programme and will not be seeking to view videotapes of the incidents, as he does not regard it as his role to act as a commentator on television programmes (according to the spokesman). An Indian government minister said it was awaiting a report about the show. "The government will take appropriate measures once it gets to know the full details," Anand Sharma, India’s junior minister for external affairs, told journalists in New Delhi. [Mof Gimmers via]