The riots that rocked London in early August were no joke. But the suggestion that Britney Spears has offended the delicate residents of the U.K. by filming a music video in which she carries a (fake) gun is so ridiculous, it's nearly amusing. According to a local news report (via ONTD), Brits are furious with Brit for shooting her "Criminal" video in Stoke Newington because the memory of the riots is still fresh: "Her choice of props and the tone of the shoot has sent her on a collision course with politicians and residents."
The news crew finds a pizza chef who's willing to say, "I'm not sure we want the youngsters to be let on this is a cool thing to do -- carrying guns in the street." Perhaps somebody should introduce this guy to every film Guy Ritchie ever made. A young lady says she "used to be" a big fan of Britney's (the fake gun was the breaking point and not, say, all of 2007?!).
The agency who approved the shoot even issued a statement reading, "In this case, we did not agree that a replica gun could be used at Stoke Newington Town Hall and we are disappointed" and a councilman proclaimed, "I think she should apologize and make a sizeable donation to a Hackney charity that deals with young people... for the rudeness and damage she's done to this community." At least the news crew found one rational resident who observed, "It's just a music video, it has nothing to do with the riot."