Midsomer Murders creator suspended over racist comments

'Midsomer Murders' creator Brian True-May has been suspended after claiming the show's success is due to its lack of multiculturalism.

ITV bosses said they were "shocked and appalled" by the comments of the programme's producer, who described the drama as the "last bastion of Englishness" and admitted he felt there was "no place" for non-white characters.

Speaking to the Radio Times magazine about the show's popularity, Brian said: "We are a cosmopolitan society in this country, but if you watch 'Midsomer' you wouldn't think so. I've never been picked up on that, but quite honestly I wouldn't want to change it.

"We just don't have ethnic minorities involved. Because it wouldn't be the English village with them. It just wouldn't work. Suddenly we might be in Slough.

"Ironically, Causton [the fictional local town in 'Midsomer Murders'] is supposed to be Slough. And if you went in to Slough you wouldn't see a white face there.

"We're the last bastion of Englishness and I want to keep it that way."

Following his comments, ITV moved to distance themselves from the producer, who was then suspended by programme makers All3Media.

An ITV spokesman said: "We are shocked and appalled at these personal comments by Brian True-May which are absolutely not shared by anyone at ITV."