Labour MP David Lammy lambasts Jim Davidson for ‘legitimising everyday racism’ in Twitter row

‘I will take no lectures from you,’ says politician

Jim Davidson on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014 (Getty)

Labour MP David Lammy has criticised the controversial stand-up comedian Jim Davidson for his legacy of “hate filled jokes about black people” during a Twitter dispute.

The 65-year-old performer, who has railed against the idea of political correctness, accused the politician of playing “the card”.

The now deleted message appeared to be a shortened version of the idiom “playing the race card,” implying the MP for Tottenham was bringing up racism in bad faith.

Mr Lammy responded by attacking Mr Davidson for his history of offensive jokes about black people, disabled people, women and the LGBTQ community.

“Your hate filled jokes about black people in the 80’s legitimised everyday racism towards people like me growing up. I thought as a country we had put it behind us but thank you I will take no lectures from you.”

After receiving a lot of support on Twitter, the MP added: “His jokes at the expense of minorities, LGBTQ, women and the disabled facilitated a culture of bullying over many years. It’s marvellous to see him put back in his box. My 11 year old self wouldn’t believe it!”

Although Mr Davidson deleted his tweet about Mr Lammy playing “the card”, several people had taken screengrabs. The comic later posted: “Lot of snowflakes about tonight.”

The comic, a once hugely popular TV star, continues to tour the country with his stand-up material.

Earlier this week the Conservative Party supporter claimed he had been “banned” from venues in Carlisle, Northampton and Southampton, blaming local Labour councils for their oversensitivity.

Mr Davison told The News and Star newspaper in Cumbria his latest stage shows were called “The People Fight Back Tour” because “we have just had enough of everything going on and all this political correctness”.

He also said his infamous black character Chalky was based on West Indian friends and he had “tried to make him a winner” rather than making fun of him.

The character, based on crude stereotypes of British West Indians, was criticised immediately after he first performed it on BBC One’s Seaside Special in 1977. The Stage magazine condemned his “crude racist jokes”.

In 2006, Mr Davidson said the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth was “full of overweight people in flip-flops and fat children of all colours.”

And in 2007 he was asked to leave a celebrity version of Hell’s Kitchen after making homophobic comments.

Fellow contestant Brian Dowling burst into tears when the comedian referred to gay men as “shirtlifters”. Mr Davison responded: “Go on. You play the whole homophobic card, you are a f****** disgrace.”