Jamie Oliver has withdrawn his children’s book from sale after it was criticised for causing offence to Indigenous Australians.
The celebrity chef’s book, Billy And The Epic Escape, is set in England but features an Australian subplot where the story’s villain abducts a First Nations girl living in foster care near Alice Springs.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (Natsiec) led calls for the book’s withdrawal, condemning the storyline as “damaging” and “disrespectful”.
Oliver, 49, who is currently in Australia promoting his latest cookbook, issued a second apology after the Indigenous-led organisation accused the book of contributing to the “erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences”.
In a statement, Oliver said: “I am devastated to have caused offence and apologise wholeheartedly.
“It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue. Together with my publishers we have decided to withdraw the book from sale.”
Penguin Random House said on Sunday the book would be pulled from sale in all countries where it holds rights, including the UK and Australia.
A spokesman for the publisher said: “Our mission at Penguin Random House UK is to make books for everyone and with that commitment comes a deep sense of responsibility.
“It is clear that our publishing standards fell short on this occasion, and we must learn from that and take decisive action.
“With that in mind, we have agreed with our author, Jamie Oliver, that we will be withdrawing the book from sale.”
Oliver released his first children’s book, Billy And The Giant Adventure, last year.