Jamie Oliver apologises after his children’s book is criticised for ‘stereotyping’ First Nations Australians

Jamie Oliver photographed in his studio in London. Australian First Nations authors have criticised his children’s book Billy and the Epic Escape and say it should be withdrawn. Photograph: Suki Dhanda/The Observer

Jamie Oliver says he is “devastated” by the offence he has caused to First Nations people and has issued an apology, after calls by Australia’s peak body for Indigenous education for the British celebrity chef to withdraw his children’s book from sale.

Oliver is in Australia promoting his latest cookbook, Simply Jamie, but it is his decision to join a growing flock of celebrity children’s book authors with a 400-page fantasy novel for primary school-age children that has come under fire.