John Cleese has sparked another heated public row after insisting he is 'not a racist' but 'a culturalist', with the Monty Python legend's latest comments igniting fierce debate across social media and British political circles.
The 86-year-old comedian, best known for Monty Python's Flying Circus and Fawlty Towers, has become increasingly outspoken on issues including immigration, free speech and Britain's cultural identity. His newest remarks, made while publicly backing Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe, have drawn both criticism and support, ensuring the veteran entertainer remains firmly at the centre of one of the UK's most divisive conversations.
Cleese Defends Himself After Backing Rupert Lowe
The controversy began after Cleese endorsed Rupert Lowe, the former Reform UK MP who now leads the political movement Restore Britain.
Posting on X, Cleese wrote: 'I trust this man more than any of the other leaders.'
The endorsement immediately attracted criticism, prompting the comedian to respond with a lengthy defence of his views.
'I see I am being ritually insulted for my support of this man,' Cleese wrote.
'The uneducated call me a racist. I am not a racist. I am a culturalist. I believe that some cultures are better than others.
'I prefer cultures that do not advocate stoning, pederasty, wife beating, female genital mutilation, and beheading opponents.
'Call me old-fashioned...'
Lowe later thanked Cleese publicly for his support, describing the endorsement as 'appreciated'.
I see I am being ritually insulted for my support of this man
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) July 28, 2026
The uneducated call me a racist
I am not a racist
I am a culturalist
I believe that some cultures are better than others
I prefer cultures to do not advocate stoning, pederasty,
wife beating, female genital… https://t.co/dpzlIRrAoV
Social Media Divided Over 'Culturalist' Claim
Cleese's comments quickly spread online, where they divided opinion.
Critics argued that describing certain cultures as 'better than others' risked reinforcing harmful stereotypes and unfairly generalising entire communities. Others questioned whether the distinction between being a 'culturalist' and being racist was meaningful in public discourse.
Supporters, however, defended the comedian, arguing he was criticising cultural practices rather than race or ethnicity. Many also framed his comments as part of a wider debate about free speech and whether public figures should be able to express controversial opinions without being labelled racist.
The exchange rapidly became one of the day's most discussed political and entertainment stories, highlighting how closely celebrity opinions and political debate have become intertwined.
A Pattern of Controversial Remarks
The latest backlash follows several other headline-making comments from Cleese in recent years.
Earlier this year, he criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan, calling him a 'silly little man'. In separate posts, he claimed that 'traditional British values are under attack from Muslim belief systems' and argued that many Britons object to forms of diversity that, in his view, threaten the country's identity.
Those remarks were widely criticised by opponents, while supporters argued he was voicing concerns shared by many people but rarely expressed by public figures.
Cleese has repeatedly rejected accusations of racism, maintaining that his criticism focuses on ideas and cultural practices rather than individuals or ethnic groups.
Previous London Comments Continue To Resurface
This is not the first time Cleese has faced backlash over comments about Britain's changing identity.
In 2019, he sparked controversy by saying London was 'not really an English city any more'. He later expanded on those remarks, saying: 'I don't know what's going on in London because London is no longer an English city... we're the most cosmopolitan city on Earth, but it doesn't feel English.'
Those comments generated widespread debate at the time and continue to resurface whenever the comedian comments on immigration or multiculturalism.
Free Speech Debate Shows No Sign of Fading
Although Cleese remains one of Britain's most celebrated comedy figures, his public profile has increasingly become associated with political and cultural commentary.
The comedian has frequently criticised what he sees as cancel culture and has argued that open debate is being stifled by fears of offending. His supporters view him as defending free expression and questioning practices he believes conflict with liberal democratic values.
Critics, meanwhile, argue that his language risks fuelling division and painting diverse communities with broad brushstrokes, regardless of his stated intentions.
His latest declaration that he is 'a culturalist' rather than racist has once again placed him at the heart of Britain's ongoing debate over immigration, multiculturalism and free speech. Whether seen as a principled defence of cultural values or another provocative intervention, Cleese's comments have ensured the conversation surrounding his views is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
