David Lammy inadvertently named disgraced entertainer Bill Cosby among his childhood role models in a video message.
The Deputy PM is said to have named the convicted criminal whilst recording a message for civil servants on International Men’s Day, on November 19.
Mr Lammy mentioned the convicted sexual predator alongside Nelson Mandela when asked about male figures who inspired him during his youth, according to The Sun.
Officials had to remove the segment from the recording.
The Deputy PM had name-dropped Cosby alongside Nelson Mandela in a swiftly-deleted video clip
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A friend of the Deputy Prime Minister clarified that his remarks specifically concerned figures from his youth – before Cosby’s behaviour became known to the public.
The source told The Sun: “Lammy’s view is that Cosby’s crimes were abhorrent, and he does not represent a role model for anyone.”
They further explained: “Lammy has previously talked about Cosby being seen as a role model in the 1980s for many young black men, before his horrific crimes were known, in an era when positively portrayed black faces were few and far between on TV.”
The Deputy Prime Minister’s comments proved particularly awkward given Cosby faces accusations from more than 60 women of sexual misconduct.
‘Lammy’s view is that Cosby’s crimes were abhorrent, and he does not represent a role model for anyone,’ a friend of the Deputy PM said
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GETTY
Sexual misconduct allegations against the American performer first emerged in 1965.
Dozens of women subsequently came forward with accusations of rape and sexual assault against the television personality.
A Los Angeles court determined in 2022 that Cosby bore civil responsibility for sexually abusing a teenager aged 16.
He was convicted of sexual assault in 2018 and sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison, but this was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2021.
David Lammy bemoaned the apparent lack of police presence in his Tottenham constituency on BBC News – standing in front of a police officer
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Mr Lammy has drawn ire in the past for his gaffes on camera.
In 2018, he went on BBC News to discuss the rising number of violent crimes in London, particularly knife crime.
During the interview, he bemoaned the apparent lack of police presence in his Tottenham constituency.
“It feels like neighbourhood policing has vanished, it’s not around you. We haven’t seen police in a while and I’ve been here for quite a while now,” he said – standing in front of a police officer.