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A university lecturer has thanked Twitter users for their support after she was accused of being racist during a row with Laurence Fox on Question Time.
The assertion came after the 41-year-old actor and musician waded into the debate surrounding press coverage of the Duchess of Sussex .
Rachel Boyle was in the televised audience and, addressing Mr Fox, said: “It’s racism, she is a black woman, and she has been torn to pieces.”
But Mr Fox dismissed this as he shook his head and said: “It’s not racism.”
He continued: “We’re the most tolerant lovely country in Europe.
“It’s so easy to throw the card of racism at everybody… and it’s really starting to get boring now.”
The row then heated up as she told him: “What worries me about your comment is is you are a white privileged male.”
He then angrily interjected with “oh god” and added: “I can’t help what I am, I was born like this, it’s an immutable characteristic.
“So to call me a white privileged male is to be racist. You’re being racist.”
Ms Boyle took to social media to thank people who backed her comments.
In a tweet she wrote: “Thank you for the support Twitter. I am appalled by the argument presented to me but this man!
“At no point did I call him racist, I said that his viewpoint is informed by his white privileged position – and he didn’t like it.”
The tweet gained more than 7,000 likes with even more users stepping forward to support Ms Boyle.
“Right on. Its a shame he doesn’t understand how a system of oppression works,” wrote one user.
“Thank you so much for being so clear and eloquent.” said another.
Another said: “Thank you for speaking truth”.
After the appearance, Fox tweeted to say his social media feed was “like Christmas come early” and added: “Speak truth to nonsense.”
Some responded in defence of the opinions he had shared.
One user said: “Oh Laurence, believe me, millions of us are behind you tonight. I cant watch QT normally, for its bias, but tonight was an exception.
Another added: “Well done on last nights question time. It takes a brave man to speak the truth so eloquently and stand up for what is right.”
Another said: “You are just perfect!!!! We need people like you!!!! We the people are sick of this PC nonsense and it needs hurrying away…..Keep doing this Laurence!”
