Alan Duncan and Miss California Carrie Prejean

UPDATE, May 12, 2009: Carrie Prejean, Donald Trump, and Free Speech
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Have I Got News For You, a British TV panel show, addressed the controversy involving Miss California Carrie Prejean's response to a question during the Miss USA pageant. Celebrity judge Perez Hilton asked her about her views on gay marriage.

A comment from panelist Tory MP Alan Duncan, a homosexual, has stirred even more controversy

From The Sun:

[Shadow leader of the House of Commons Alan Duncan,] who had earlier in the show revealed his ambition to become Home Secretary, was discussing American Beauty Queen Carrie Prejean's belief that same sex marriages were wrong.

And the MP called her a "silly b***h" and said "If you read that Miss California is murdered you will know it was me".

The comment has provoked outrage among viewers with complaints being filed with the BBC and the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

The Rev George Hargreaves, leader of the Christian Party said today "Mr Duncan has crossed the line. A senior politician suggesting, even as a joke, that it is OK that Ms. Prejean should be murdered for her Evangelical Christian views is totally unacceptable.

From the Daily Mail:

The shadow Leader of the House of Commons was yesterday facing the bizarre prospect of being investigated by police after he suggested he might kill American model Carrie Prejean for being homophobic.

Although made in jest, the gay politician's comments on Have I Got News For You on Friday prompted viewers to complain to the BBC, the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom and even the police.

Miss California Carrie Prejean said she did not believe in gay marriage
Mr Duncan, who was a panellist on the BBC1 programme, yesterday tried to smooth over the row by making the point that the show is supposed to be satirical.

'Of course it was in jest,' he said. 'It is a comedy show after all. I'm sure Miss Prejean's very beautiful and that if we were to meet we would love each other. I have no plans to kill her. I'll send her a box of chocolates - unpoisoned.'

...Sitting alongside comedians Katy Brand, Frank Skinner and Paul Merton, Mr Duncan described blonde Miss Prewho-jean - who is the reigning Miss California - as a 'silly bitch'.

He said: 'I don't agree with her at all.'

A few moments later he added: 'If you read that Miss California has been murdered, you will know it was me won't you?'

The programme's other guests appeared shocked by Mr Duncan's comments.

Katy Brand remarked: 'That's a hell of a statement to be making on camera there Alan.'

Paul Merton chipped in: 'For someone planning to be Home Secretary'.

A few things--

I don't think it's fair to label Carrie Prejean as being homophobic. Just because she believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman doesn't make her a homophobe.

While Duncan is taking some heat for his statements, I think he's getting off relatively easy for his "joke."

If some a politician called a beauty pageant contestant a "silly bitch" and joked about murdering her because she supports gay marriage, the outrage would be off the charts.

It's not OK for Duncan to joke about murdering someone.