Sherna Noah
Comedian Ben Elton has accused the BBC of prohibiting jokes about imams.
He said the corporation was too "scared" to allow gags about Islam.
The 48-year-old told Third Way, a Christian culture magazine: "It all starts with people nodding whenever anyone says, As a person of faith ...' And I believe that part of it is due to the genuine fear that the authorities and the community have about provoking the radical elements of Islam.
"There's no doubt about it, the BBC will let vicar gags pass but they would not let imam gags pass. They might pretend that it's, you know, something to do with their moral sensibilities, but it isn't. It's because they're scared."
He added: "I wanted to use the phrase Mohammed came to the mountain' and everybody said, Oh, don't!, Just don't! Don't go there!'"
A BBC spokesman denied the claims, saying: "No subject is off limits for BBC comedy. The treatment should not cause harm or offence as defined by the BBC's Editorial Guidelines or breach other BBC Guidelines. There is no evidence that the BBC is afraid to tackle difficult subjects."
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