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Channel 4 News has said it “regrets” any offence caused by Jon Snow’s remark that he had “never seen so many white people in one place” as he reported on pro-Brexit protests in central London.
The veteran broadcaster’s “unscripted observation” came at the “very end of a long week of fast-moving Brexit developments”, Channel 4 News said in a statement.
The statement said that it was a “spontaneous comment reflecting his observation that in a London demonstration of that size, ethnic minorities seemed to be significantly under-represented.”
The presenter, 71, was signing off from the Friday evening bulletin when he made the remark.
It came as protesters brought Westminster to a standstill on what was supposed to be the day the UK exited the European Union.
Speaking at the end of the programme on College Green, Snow said: “It’s been the most extraordinary day.
“A day which has seen … I have never seen so many white people in one place, it’s an extraordinary story.
“There are people everywhere, there are crowds everywhere.”
The remarks drew criticism online from some viewers who described Mr Snow’s comments about “white people” as unnecessary.
In a statement, Channel 4 said: “This was an unscripted observation at the very end of a long week of fast-moving Brexit developments.
In pictures | Pro-Brexit march in London
1/20
A man comes face to face with a police officer
PA
2/20
A pro-Brexit protester faces off with police during a demonstration outside Downing Street
REUTERS
3/20
Pro-Brexit supporters burn a EU flag near to Trafalgar Square
PA
4/20
Pro-Brexit supporters stand in the road at Trafalgar Square
PA
5/20
Pro-Brexit supporters confront police officers securing the gates of Downing Street
AFP/Getty Images
6/20
Pro-Brexit protesters face off with police
REUTERS
7/20
Demonstrators march holding flags and placards during a pro Brexit rally
Getty Images
8/20
Pro-Brexit protesters clash with police after their rally in Westminster
AP
9/20
A man takes a photo of a Metropolitan Police officer
AP
10/20
Police officers clash with demonstrators
Getty Images
11/20
Pro-Brexit protesters clash with police after their rally in Westminster,
AP
12/20
The pro-Brexit protest was attended by thousands
AP
13/20
One protester wearing a Guy Fawkes march
AP
14/20
Police officer secure the gates of Downing Street
AFP/Getty Images
15/20
Pro-Brexit protesters stand near police
AP
16/20
Demonstrators clash with police officers
Getty Images
17/20
A far-right protester is detained by police
REUTERS
18/20
A Pro-Brexit supporter wearing a Donald Trump mask in Whitehall
PA
19/20
PA
20/20
Brexit supporters march in Fulham in the final leg of the March To Leave Rally
Getty Images
1/20
A man comes face to face with a police officer
PA
2/20
A pro-Brexit protester faces off with police during a demonstration outside Downing Street
REUTERS
3/20
Pro-Brexit supporters burn a EU flag near to Trafalgar Square
PA
4/20
Pro-Brexit supporters stand in the road at Trafalgar Square
PA
5/20
Pro-Brexit supporters confront police officers securing the gates of Downing Street
AFP/Getty Images
6/20
Pro-Brexit protesters face off with police
REUTERS
7/20
Demonstrators march holding flags and placards during a pro Brexit rally
Getty Images
8/20
Pro-Brexit protesters clash with police after their rally in Westminster
AP
9/20
A man takes a photo of a Metropolitan Police officer
AP
10/20
Police officers clash with demonstrators
Getty Images
11/20
Pro-Brexit protesters clash with police after their rally in Westminster,
AP
12/20
The pro-Brexit protest was attended by thousands
AP
13/20
One protester wearing a Guy Fawkes march
AP
14/20
Police officer secure the gates of Downing Street
AFP/Getty Images
15/20
Pro-Brexit protesters stand near police
AP
16/20
Demonstrators clash with police officers
Getty Images
17/20
A far-right protester is detained by police
REUTERS
18/20
A Pro-Brexit supporter wearing a Donald Trump mask in Whitehall
PA
19/20
PA
20/20
Brexit supporters march in Fulham in the final leg of the March To Leave Rally
Getty Images
“Jon has covered major events such as this over a long career and this was a spontaneous comment reflecting his observation that in a London demonstration of that size, ethnic minorities seemed to be significantly under-represented.
“We regret any offence caused by his comment.”
A spokesman for the regulator Ofcom said they would have to wait until Monday to say how many complaints – if any – had been registered regarding the incident.
A spokesman said: “We will assess any complaints we do receive before deciding whether or not to investigate.”
