New Zealand radio host apologises for making racially charged comments

New Zealand radio host Michael Laws today apologised for calling his country's Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand a "fat Indian".

The broadcaster made the racially charged comments last week which aroused the ire of the country's Prime Minister John Key, who condemned it in strong terms.

In a statement on the RadioLive website, Laws apologised for calling Sir Satyanand a "large, fat man" who has "never left" the buffet table.

"I apologise to the governor general for comments which were, upon reflection, uncharitable and inappropriate," Laws said.

But wrote a rider, "I reserve the right to be controversial and outspoken. 

"But my off-air comments, in particular, crossed the line from puckish to insulting, and although that was not my intent, it was still inappropriate. I also apologise to MediaWorks for any embarrassment that may have been subsequently caused," he was quoted by 'The New Zealand Herald' report.

On his talkback radio show last week, Laws said Sir Anand was an "unusual-shaped man" who reminded him of the impossibly obese Monty Python character Mr Creosote.

He also likened him to a British actor who played the Agatha Christie creation Hercule Poirot on UK television. 

"That reminds me of Anand Satyanand, but Anand Satyanand could never move that quickly. He is a very large, fat man," he said.

"I don't know why but just on an Indian it seems slightly incongruous. 

"I mean, we don't all expect Indians to be begging on the streets of New Delhi, but it's like Anand discovered the buffet table at, like, 20 and he's never really left it."

Prime Minister Key yesterday asked him to apologise, but Laws said he should "stop being so PC". 

Key, who was trying to douse New Delhi's anger after another TV presenter had ridiculed Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit's name, said the radio talk shows comments were "unacceptable."

"The comments are offensive because they are deeply personal and aimed at the Governor General in a way that is inappropriate for that office," Key said.