Kim Howells has been accused of racism after saying it is time to stand up to the "idiots" of rap culture.

The culture minister told a radio discussion: "The events in Birmingham are symptomatic of something very, very serious. For years I have been very worried about these hateful lyrics that these boasting macho idiot rappers come out with. It is a big cultural problem. Lyrics don't kill people but they don't half enhance the fare we get from videos and films. It has created a culture where killing is almost a fashion accessory."

Conor McNicholas, editor of the music magazine NME, described the minister's outburst as "deeply racist".

"He doesn't understand the culture. It is this idea again that we have to do something about these out-of-control black people in our streets and the nasty culture they are perpetuating," he said.