Bradshaw slams 'insulting' racism claim
Mr Bradshaw, Exeter's MP, denied the city had a problem with racism and said the BNP had almost no presence there.
He said: "Emma Thompson is a great actress but her comments about Exeter, racism and the BNP are both untrue and insulting. The BNP is virtually non-existent in Exeter and polled dismally here in the last local elections.
"Any incidence of racism is one too many, but Exeter comes top or near top in every survey of places for friendliness and quality of life."
He added: "Our excellent university has an international reputation and has seen big increases in overseas students. Overwhelmingly, they report a very positive experience."
University of Exeter students have started a campaign to get an apology from the actress, star of some films.
Jonnie Beddall, president of the University of Exeter Politics Society, launched the campaign in response to Ms Thompson's claim that the BNP leader Nick Griffin would love the city.
Mr Beddall said: "Contrary to Emma Thompson's scandalous claims that both city and University of Exeter are racist, we know that it is not. Not only is Exeter an especially welcoming place for people of all backgrounds, but why should we feel guilty just for belonging to a community that doesn't represent metropolitan London?"
The Oscar-winning actress made her comments in a speech to Exeter students after claiming her Rwandan-born adopted son Tindyebwa Agaba suffered racist abuse while studying in the city.
Ms Thompson, 50, said the BNP leader would "love" Exeter University because there was so much "depressing" racism there.
Tindy, 22, read politics at the university, but his mother said he suffered a "rough" time with "unpleasant experiences" because he was black.
Mr Beddall said: "It offends all my sensibilities to be accused of being racist by one of London's celebrity elite.
"Is one celebrity's soundbite worth the livelihoods and self-respect of an entire city?"
