Celebrity Big Brother 2007 Shilpa Shetty - Racial Slur?

Chancellor Gordon Brown has become involved in the row over alleged racist bullying on Celebrity Big Brother during a visit to India.

Mr Brown said the issue had been raised repeatedly during his trip, adding that Britain should be "seen as a country of fairness and tolerance".

TV regulator Ofcom is looking into a record 14,500 complaints about treatment of Indian star Shilpa Shetty.

The issue was also raised during prime minister's questions in Parliament.

Tony Blair told the House of Commons that he could not comment on the Channel 4 reality show because he had not seen it.

But he added: "We should oppose racism in all its forms."

Mr Blair was responding to a question from Keith Vaz MP, who said "broadcasters need to take great care before they publish any such prejudices to millions of people throughout the country".

During his visit to India, Mr Brown said he had heard about the volume of complaints regarding Celebrity Big Brother.

"I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Anything detracting from this I condemn."

Treasury Minister Ed Balls earlier told BBC Two's Daily Politics programme that the suggestion of racism in the UK projected an "appalling" image around the world.

The Indian government is awaiting a report on the programme and could raise the matter with the UK.

Anand Sharma, India's junior minister for external affairs, said: "The government will take appropriate measures once it gets to know the full details. Racism has no place in civilised society."

The story featured on the front pages of several Indian newspapers on Wednesday, while fans of the actress staged a small-scale protest in the eastern city of Patna.

Shilpa Shetty's family issued a statement saying they were "overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support for Shilpa not just in India, but from across the globe".

The approximately 14,500 complaints received by Ofcom is a record for a television broadcast.

A further 2,000 complaints have been made directly to Channel 4...

Read more on BBC News at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6269953.stm