Benedict Cumberbatch 'regrets' speaking out on migrant crisis: 'I got carried away'

The actor was criticised when he hit out at politicians over their handling of the situation
Regrets: Benedict Cumberbatch at the screening of Doctor Strange
Dave Benett
Emma Powell26 October 2016
The Weekender

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Benedict Cumberbatch has said he regrets speaking out on the migrant crisis in Calais.

The 40-year-old actor previously spoke out about the need for the UK to take in unaccompanied minors from the Calais Jungle and stunned theatregoers during his stint in Hamlet when he criticised politicians over their handling of the situation.

Speaking on the red carpet for the screening of his latest film Doctor Strange he said he was simply trying to raise awareness of the plight of refugee children, but admitted he got "carried away".

He told ITN: "I'm more concerned about the real difficulties that are going on, as I think they are with unaccompanied minors who are facing some pretty horrific scenes by anyone's standards in Calais, and that's where our concerns should be.

Speaking out: Benedict Cumberbatch with his wife Sophie Hunter 
Isabel Infantes/PA Wire

“The thought of one of those children slipping through the net is disturbing.

"It’s disturbing for anyone with a social conscience."

He continued: "Look, I don't have expert, political knowledge. And I've been slammed for speaking up because of that and I completely appreciate that criticism because that's not my role in life.

"What I was simply doing was raising money for a charity that knows what to do and trying to shine a light on the professionals and the experts, and also those in need who those professionals and experts help.”

The father-of-one – who is reportedly expecting baby number two with his wife Sophie Hunter – said becoming a parent caused his emotions to run high.

"As a new dad, I sometimes got emotional and carried away and I regret that to an extent, but it was a human error.

"What I would say is we raised a lot of money and it's gone to a very, very good cause."

His comments came hours after he defended his "f*** the politicians" speech during his Hamlet performance.

Speaking to LBC's Shelagh Fogarty he said: "Maybe I got carried away and maybe I shouldn't have said what I said but I was trying to shine a light on an issue that was at certain times being overlooked.

"I fully stand by what I did, but maybe I could have done it better."

Lily Allen was heavily criticised this month when she apologised ‘on behalf of the UK’ to an Afghan teenager who was living in the Calais camp.

Speaking to the teenager for Victoria Derbyshire's BBC show she said: “It just seems that at three different intervals in this young boy’s life, the English in particular have put you in danger.

"We’ve bombed your country, put you in the hands of the Taliban and now put you in danger of risking your life to get into our country.

"I apologise on behalf of my country. I’m sorry for what we have put you through."

Doctor Strange - London Premiere

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