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| Europe |
| French parfumier Jean-Paul Guerlain 'the nose' on trial on racism charges |
| 2012-02-09 |
| Mr Guerlain, now retired, caused offence during a TV interview in October 2010 in which he was asked to explain how he created the Samsara perfume. "For once, I set to work like a ------. I don't know if ------- have always worked so hard, but anyway ..." he said. Yesterday (Thurs), the 75-year-old apologised profusely as he appeared in court in Paris on charges of casting "racist insults". He faces up to six months in prison and a 22,500 euro (£19,900) fine. "The first part of my phrase was something I heard my entire childhood when I worked in my grandfather's garden. I come from another generation. It was a common expression at the time." "As for the second phrase, it was an idiocy on my part. I was trying to make the interviewer laugh and I regret it." "I deeply regret it and present my excuses to the black community," he went on. "I am anything but racist," he added, recounting how he met black GIs after the Second World War who introduced him to "chewing gum and Coca-Cola". Mr Guerlain's remark on air had sparked angry condemnation from anti-racism groups, and a deluge of protests on Twitter with comments like "Guerlain, the parfumier who stinks". |
| Posted by:tipper |