The TV chef is among a long list of celebrities to have produced their own book for youngsters, but the Australian sub-plot in Oliver’s Billy And The Epic Escape was criticised for being damaging and disrespectful, the Guardian reported. It said the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (Natsiec) blasted the book, which tells the story of a First Nations girl living in foster care, for contributing to the “erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences”. In a statement, Oliver, 49, 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.” A spokesman for publisher Penguin Random House 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.”.
