No ‘golliwog’ apology from Carol Thatcher

Carol Thatcher still refuses to apologise for calling a black tennis player at the Australian Open a 'golliwog' and has instead accused Britain of having an increasing obsession with political correctness.

The 55-year-old daughter of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher told the Channel Five daytime show The Wright Stuff that people are "far too easily offended in modern society" and claimed that Britain is in danger of falling back into the dark ages as a result. "Ironically, it's like we're back 20 years ago before the fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany," she said, adding that whoever was responsible for leaking her off-screen comments was a "bully".

Thatcher made the original remark - about French player Jo-Wilfried Tsongas - in the 'green room' during the taping of the BBC TV's The One Show. It was heard by host Adrian Chiles, guest Jo Brand and members of the production team. Thatcher was quickly dropped by the BBC as the show's roving reporter.

In Monday, 20 protestors brandishing 'Just say sorry' banners took part in a demonstration outside Thatcher's London home. It was organised by Behind the Shutters, an art gallery in Hoxton, and its owner Garfield Hackett.

Hackett, who rang the doorbell of Thatcher's apartment block and wrote her a note on being told she was unavailable, said it was important that 'golliwog' did not become "everyday parlance."