Oprah Winfrey Zurich Racism Row: Sale Assistant Says Claims Are "Absurd"

The sales assistant who allegedly refused to show Oprah Winfrey a handbag in an exclusive Swiss handbag boutique, has denied claims that her actions were racially motivated and says that Winfrey's claims are "absurd".

The sales assistant, who chose to remain anonymous whilst being interviewed by the newspaper SonntagsBlick, has a different memory of the situation. She said: 'I wasn't sure what I should present to her when she came in on the afternoon of Saturday July 20 so I showed her some bags from the Jennifer Aniston collection. I explained to her the bags came in different sizes and materials, like I always do."

Apparently the misunderstanding took place when the shop assistant, trying to save Winfrey money (despite the talk show host's $77 million earnings last year), suggested the bag which Winfrey was so interested in was "like the one I held in my hand, only much more expensive, and that I could show her similar bags."

The Butler.