Equality chief causes stink with royal gaffe

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — The head of the equality watchdog said sorry Monday after causing a stink with an off-colour joke about the late Queen Mother during an after-dinner speech.

Commission for Equality and Human Rights chief Trevor Phillips reportedly drew gasps when he quipped about dancing with Queen Elizabeth, the current queen's mother who died in 2002, and having to avoid clasping her colostomy bag.

Speaking on Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday at the weekend, he told an anecdote about how, when he was a student leader, he was briefed by Buckingham Palace officials on how to dance with the Queen Mother at a ball.

"One said, 'Mr Phillips, I need to share something with you. When you're dancing with the Queen Mother you will have to lay your hands on...