David Lammy: Bill Cosby Was One of My Role Models
David Lammy cited disgraced comedian Bill Cosby as one of his childhood role models, in comments edited out of a Ministry of Justice video. The Telegraph has the story.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary was asked to name his biggest idol when he was growing up for a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) video to mark International Men’s Day.
He named Nelson Mandela and then, when asked for a second idol, referred to Bill Cosby, the comedian whose Cosby Show the young Lammy watched as a child.
It was not until decades later, in 2014, that multiple allegations emerged that Cosby, a comedy star cited as a trailblazer for black Americans, had sexually assaulted dozens of women throughout his career.
MoJ sources said it was felt there was a risk that Mr Lammy’s comments could be taken out of context and should not be included in the final package. “It is entirely normal when things come up to edit footage out because it doesn’t make any sense,” said a source.
“His view is that Cosby’s crimes were abhorrent and he does not represent a role model for anyone in society.”
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It’s a bit stupid to reference Cosby, but it’s clear he idolised him before he knew Cosby’s crimes. Sadly for Lammy he is a bit stupid.
“ ….. a bit “ ??!!??
You are certainly being very kind to him.
And it’s very sad for the whole country, not just for Calamity himself.
He also thought Henry VII became monarch after Henry VIII, and that Marie Antionette discovered radiation.
Good to know Justice is in good hands!!!!
He could of said he admired Crosby until the allegations came to light then been brave enough to of stood by his words if people criticised him.
How can it be wrong to admire someone up to the point when their wrong doings become public knowledge? Jimmy Saville was a much loved entertainer who raised huge amounts of money for charity, I’m sure a lot of people greatly admired him until he was exposed as Britain’s most prolific sex offender and they shouldn’t be embarrassed to say so.
I was a big Rolf Harris fan. Nobody knew these household names were perverts back then, though. Or at least it wasn’t in the public domain, just kept within the confines of the once respected BBC. Gary Glitter had many fans and did good songs. Sexual predators don’t stand out as being sexual predators, this is the problem. These men had everybody fooled.
Lammy was just being honest and it’s not as if he needs any help in looking stupid.
A bit stupid?
Lammy is a screaming moron.
Anti-White, Anti-English racist as well.
I wonder if Cosby flirted with Hitler youth as well?🤔
Fair enough.
He only had several hundred notable historical British contributors to mankind’s progress to choose from, so Bill Cosby was an obvious choice instead.
He would never of mentioned a white person and probably thinks that every historical figure in the UK is tainted by, if not outright guilty of, slavery and colonialism so this narrows his choices down somewhat.
My idol growing up was David Attenborough, but that’s before I knew he was all about depopulation and a weapons grade eco loon. Past tense is key here.😳
The documentaries Attenborough narrates are brilliant, with the obvious exception of the mentions of climate change that the BBC shoehorns into them. If only he’d stuck to what he’s best at and not got involved in activism.
I really liked his stuff talking about the vine divers in Indonesia (I think).
999,999 up votes.
I’m not sure it’s all that healthy to have “idols”. I guess they really mean “people some of whose achievements and conduct (as far as you are aware of it) you admire”.
Idolatry does seem a bit transgressive – perhaps Cosby wasn’t such a bad pick.
It’s just not a word I would use.
Surrised he didn’t say Marie Antoinette; or Henry VIII’s successor, Henry VII.
I agree. The Labour party won’t like it that there were no gay, lesbian or trans heros in his past.
No, the MoJ has it wrong. The risk for Lammy was the comments would be taken IN context.
In addition to the fault (not error) of citing such a person as a role model (I do not know anything about Mr Lammy’s personal life) was the shallowness of his answer.Did he only take guidance and inspiration from American black men?
Both; stand up comedians
To be fair to him “The Cosby Show” was an example of showing a black family in a positive light so I can understand that being an inspiration. In the same way, Rolf Harris was a very good painter (he did the Queen) and Gary glitter produced some very good pop songs. You can’t judge their works at the time by what we know now.
The character played by Bill Cosby, in the Cosby Show was a must watch at the time. It was funny, insightful, and inspiring. I’m sure many fathers were influenced to take the laid back, ‘light touch’ approach to parenting. As others have said, we weren’t to know what he was up to in his private life.
It’s a toss up between this buffoon and Ed Davey as to who is the biggest imbecile in politics.
Bill Cosby was intentionally funny…
Of course. Both low impulse control people through their DNA.