Harry Enfield sparks diplomatic storm

Comedians Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse have sparked a diplomatic row.

The Philippine government is furious about a sketch on their BBC1 show Harry And Paul last week in which a Filipino maid was ordered to have sex with a neighbour.

Its embassy in London wrote to the BBC, the Government and the Press Complaints Commission protesting against "this slur on our domestic workers".

In Manila, the Philippine foreign secretary summoned the British ambassador to discuss the matter while women's rights activists denounced the sketch as "revolting and racist".

The British Embassy in Manila said the BBC had editorial independence and its views were "completely independent" from the Government.

It added that Filipinos in Britain "make invaluable contributions to our scientific and service sectors, and enrich UK culture".

A BBC spokeswoman said she was unable to comment as the letter had not yet been received.