UK Show "Top Gear" Enrages Mexican Ambassador

London - Hosts of the famous UK automotive show "Top Gear" were under fire Wednesday after making what the Mexican Ambassador of London called "xenophobic" statements.

The Guardian reports that Ambassador Eduardo Medina-More Icaza sent a letter to BBC executives demanding an apology after the show's hosts rhetorically asked why anyone would want to buy a Mexican car, likening the vehicles to Mexican nationals who host Richard Hammond dubbed "lazy, feckless, flatulent [and] overweight".

The Guardian reports that Hammond's co-hosts, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, called Mexican food "refried sick".

"These offensive, xenophobic and humiliating remarks serve only to reinforce negative stereotypes and perpetuate prejudice against Mexico and its people," said Icaza.

More than 500 people have complained to the BBC.

Last year, Top Gear gave "60 Minutes" a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the show tick. They learned that the hosts' controversial banter is definitely an important factor.

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