THE Apprentice stars are reportedly unhappy with the BBC's handling of Lottie Lion's alleged racism issue.
They believe that Lion has been "let off with a slap on the wrist" for telling fellow contestant Lubna Farhan to "Shut up Gandhi."
The comment was allegedly made in the group's WhatsApp chat and at least four contestants are believed to have complaint about the remark. But the issue has not been taken further, and a source revealed to the Sun that Lion has "got off the hook."
The source said: “They see it is a totally fruitless investigation. Everyone thinks Lottie has got off the hook.
“The comments are totally out of order and racist. Yet she has been let off with a slap on the wrist.
“There is a general feeling among those on the show the BBC don’t understand how offended people are — or just want it to go away.
"It feels like it has been brushed under the carpet.”
The BBC has told Lion that her comments were "unacceptable."
In a statement, the BBC said: "While this happened on a private messenger service once filming had concluded, the BBC nevertheless still expects the candidates to behave appropriately.
"The production company have looked into the issue and reported back, Lottie has been informed that her comments were wholly unacceptable and is in no doubt about our view on this."
Lion, meanwhile, said her comments were taken out of context.
In a previous statement, the 19-year-old said: "It is not true that I would ever be racist," she said. "My use of the word Gandhi was misinterpreted, it was as candidates in the group chat had been quoting Gandhi previously.
"The comments were taken out of context, and I ask the public not to make judgment without knowing the full context."
