Monty Python star John Cleese has come under fire after ranting on Twitter about ‘half-educated tenement Scots’.
The 76-year-old took to the social media site to vent his disgust at a newspaper column which appeared in the Telegraph that was written by a Scottish journalist.
He posted: "Why do we let half-educated tenement Scots run our English press? Because their craving for social status makes them obedient retainers?"
After one of the actor's Twitter followers called him "classless" Cleese hit back: "Seriously,I’d rather have educated, cultured and intelligent people in charge. Sorry for the elitism."
"It’s not casual racism, it’s considered culturalism," he added.
SNP councillor, Kenny McLean replied: "I hope your happy that you’ve ruined any future viewing of my collection Python videos with this casual racism."
Another one is : why are there no English journalists running Scottish newspapers
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) October 2, 2016
Xenophobia ?
RadioGuyGlasgow tweeted: "Sad to see someone I used to admire slagging off Scotland. Goodbye Mr John Cleese, once a funny man. Not now."
After receiving heavy criticism Cleese refused to back down and tweeted: "Another one is : why are there no English journalists running Scottish newspapers Xenophobia?"
Hearld and Times journalist David Leask retorted: "There is a long history of English newspaper editors in Scotland. The last editor of The Herald was originally from England."
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