David Harewood has become the latest actor to call out Laurence Fox for his controversial comments.
Fox has been the subject of a social media backlash in recent days for his various remarks on white privilege, the Meghan Markle race row and woke culture.
The actor’s latest rant was against black and working-class actors, whom he accused of only complaining about bias in the industry after they have become established.
Speaking on a podcast with right-wing commentator James Delingpole, Fox said: "The most annoying thing is the minute a black actor – it's the same with working class actors – the minute they've got five million quid in the bank, every interview they do is about how racism is rampant and rife in the industry.”
Harewood has responded to Fox’s comments, calling him an “irrelevance”. He tweeted: “I’ve been speaking up on the lack of work for black actors in the UK for about 20 years. I’m now acting in and directing American television... and I still don’t have 5 million quid.”
“I don’t need to @ Mr Fox,” he added. “He is an irrelevance to me, his ideas are so common I’ve been dealing with them most of my life. It’s standard, normal. I just have to do my best to navigate around such opinions.”
Line of Duty writer Jed Mercurio retweeted Harewood, saying: “Well said. The arts are in danger of becoming the exclusive preserve of a privileged elite. Some poshos have talent, of course, but some are just irritating egomaniacs who only got in because of money and connections.”
On Monday, Maxine Peake also criticised Fox. “Black & w/c actors can only speak the truth once they’re established – their voices aren’t heard before,” she wrote on Twitter.
“Posh actors, on the other hand, only complain when they want attention.”
Peake added: “Anything s**t to sell @LozzaFox or is it just a coincidence you’ve gone right wing? Hope it’s worth it.”
