Row erupts over BNP Pac-Man Facebook post
Row erupts over BNP Pac-Man Facebook post
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By Alistair Potter. |  |
Thursday, 12, Nov 2009 12:21
By Richard James.
The publicity director of the BNP has provoked controversy by a post on his Facebook page that featured a spoof version of Pac-Man with Muslim women instead of ghosts.
Mark Collett posted an image from the retro computer game Pac-Man with the caption "Sortin' out Muslims since 1980".
The image appears to show three Muslim women in burqas being chased by the gaming character.
A message supposedly written by Mr Collett also includes the statement: "Pac-Man knows how to deal with Muslims! I made this, I hope it makes you all smile! Feel free to send it out and spread the joy."
The image has been criticised by communities minister Shahid Malik, who told Sky News: "If this is the work of Mark Collett, it only serves as further demonstration of what a sick, twisted and vile individual he is.
"It is useful to highlight this type of attitude in the leadership of the BNP. It helps expose the true face of this racist and fascist organisation."
Mr Collett, however, told Sky News the picture was "simply a joke".
"The Pac-Man character eats ghosts, but to suggest that anyone in the BNP wants anyone to eat women in burqas is laughable.
"It's not suggesting that anyone needs sorting out, it was simply a joke."