LABOUR MP David Lammy has hit back at claims that his “white saviour” blast knocked millions of pounds off Comic Relief’s donations this year.
The Tottenham politician joked this morning that since he’s become an MP sea levels had risen and England hadn’t won the World Cup either.
PA:Press Association
Comic Relief has raised £63million this year so far – down from more than £71million at this stage last time around.
The collapse in funding came after Mr Lammy criticised the charity for using white stars as its figureheads.
It sparked a fuming row over his comments, which were aimed at film-maker Stacey Dooley.
She posted snaps of herself doing charity work Uganda making a new documentary.
He argued: “My problem with British celebrities being flown out by Comic Relief to make these films is that it sends a distorted image of Africa which perpetuates an old idea from the colonial era…
“The world does not need any more white saviours.”
MP Chris Philp said his “pathetic, manufactured indignation” had cost the charity cash.
But today Mr Lammy said in response to criticism: “To be fair since I’ve become MP for Tottenham sea-levels have risen, Trump has become President and England still hasn’t won the world cup since ’66. Coincidence?”
Comic Relief defended its track record of bringing in millions to help disadvantaged people around the world.
Half of the cash goes to projects in the UK and the other half to those around the world.
This year saw Four Weddings and a Funeral stars reunite for the first time in 25 years for a mini-sequel featuring Hugh Grant and Rowan Atkinson.
The show also saw the return of Keeley Hawes in a Bodyguard spin-off, and Little Mix and ex-Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls sung ‘Shout out to my ex’.
The total revenues are on course to be the lowest for more than a decade – but have been dropping since a high in 2011.
There was a dip in ratings for last week’s show too, with 600,000 fewer viewers compared to last year.
One Direction star Louis Tomlinson pulled out of the show after the tragic death of his 18-year-old sister Felicite last week.
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