Former Conservative Member of Parliament, Sir Michael Fabricant, faced accusations of exhibiting prejudiced remarks during a recent appearance on the reality show *Celebrity Big Brother*. The controversy arose during a challenge where housemates were tasked with delivering speeches to secure the continuation of electricity within the house.
The dispute unfolded between Fabricant, aged 74, and talk show host Trisha Goddard, 67. During Fabricant’s address regarding immigration, Goddard intervened, voicing concerns that his statements were veering into dangerous territory.
Fabricant, who was subsequently the first housemate to be eliminated from the competition—a decision met with considerable backlash from some viewers—framed his perspective by referencing his own heritage. “My surname is French and I’m of Jewish extraction so I’m a real immigrant,” he stated.
He then elaborated, saying: “Jewish people, when they usually come to this country, believe ‘do in Rome as the Romans do’.” Fabricant continued with the assertion, “So not come to this country if your aim is to change everyone to your way of thinking.”
It was at this point that Goddard questioned: “Hang on, are you slipping into Islamophobia?” Fabricant responded defensively, asking, “Who mentioned Islamophobia?”
Goddard maintained her concern, stating, “It’s getting dangerous.” Fabricant attempted to clarify his position, asserting, “No don’t misunderstand me. I’ve tried to explain this country has benefited from wave upon wave of immigration.”
Several other housemates offered support for Fabricant following the tense exchange:
- Chesney Hawkes commented, “I don’t know why Trisha went into the Islamophobia thing. I thought that was a bit weird, because you weren’t talking about that.”
- Love Island star Chris Hughes added, “You didn’t say anything Islamophobic. You did good up there, well done.”
The situation sparked widespread debate among viewers, with reactions divided:
- Some expressed disapproval of Goddard’s assessment, with some even calling for her own eviction. One viewer wrote on social media, “Trisha putting flames on the fire. Michael didn’t mention Islam at all. She made a big thing out of it.”
- Another stated, “I don’t even like Michael Fabricant, but no, that wasn’t Islamophobia. That’s coming from me, a Muslim. I want Trisha up next.”
Conversely:
- Others defended Goddard’s actions and agreed with her interpretation of the speech, observing it was heading in a problematic direction. One supporter declared, “My queen Trisha pulling Michael up on his speech as it started becoming more and more Islamophobic while talking about immigrants was amazing to see! And tbf I felt like it was heading in that direction.”
The incident highlighted the sensitivities surrounding discussions of immigration and cultural integration, generating considerable debate both within the house and among viewers.
