Ethnic minority groups and disabled people should not "assume the status of victim", according to historian David Starkey.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Daily Telegraph, the television presenter, 70, gave his views on the current political class, claiming he did not believe any politician was equipped to be prime minister and the "real talent has left politics".
He also said evidence suggested women tended to be of average intelligence, whereas men were either "very, very bright or very thick", but denied he is sexist.
David Starkey is a regular TV commentator and has written books on the Tudors
He hit out at Baroness (Doreen) Lawrence, the mother of Stephen who was murdered in a brutal racial attack, for following what he claimed was the approach of US civil rights leaders after Martin Luther King's death by "treating blacks as victims".
Starkey said civil rights leaders in America had "espoused victimhood and violence. And I think to a dangerous extent that has happened in this country. With all the praise that's been lavished on Doreen Lawrence, she's constantly treating blacks as victims.
Doreen Lawrence speaking in memory of her murdered son Stephen
"All forms of liberation, and I speak as gay and I was in all this when it wasn't fashionable, when you didn't get your CBE for being a prominent poofter, when there were actual penalties for doing it - all of them depend upon you taking control. About you refusing to be a victim.
"And I find it very, very sad the sway there is now this perpetual procession of people - group after group - wanting to assume the status of victim. It's catastrophic."
The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(01 of47)
(front row from 2nd left) London Police Comissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin in the Field, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(02 of47)
Mayor of London Boris Johnson makes a speech during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(03 of47)
Doreen Lawrence and her son Stuart (right) during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(04 of47)
Home Secretary Theresa May reads from the Gospel during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(05 of47)
Mayor of London Boris Johnson makes a speech during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(06 of47)
Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and Labour Leader Ed Miliband during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(07 of47)
Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and Labour Leader Ed Miliband during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(08 of47)
Beverley Knight performs during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(09 of47)
Dr Elizabeth Henry gives a speech during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(10 of47)
Bishop of London, the Right Reverend and Right Honorable Dr Richard Chartres during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(11 of47)
Beverley Knight performs during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(12 of47)
London Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe (right) during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(13 of47)
Doreen Lawrence makes a speech during a memorial service for her son Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(14 of47)
Hugh Quarshie during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(15 of47)
London mayor Boris Johnson during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(16 of47)
Doreen Lawrence during a memorial service for her son Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(17 of47)
Prime Minister David Cameron during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(18 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: (L-R) Mother of Stephen Lawrence, Doreen Lawrence, stands with Home Secretary Teresa May at a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-MURDER-RACISM-ANNIVERSARY(19 of47)
British Prime Minister David Cameron poses for photographs with Doreen Lawrence, mother of killed teenager Stephen Lawrence, outside St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in central London on April 22, 2013 as they attend a memorial marking the 20th anniversary of his death. Lawrence, 18, was murdered by a gang of racists who stabbed him as he waited for a bus in Eltham, south-east London on April 22, 1993. PHOTO/CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(20 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: (L-R) Mother of Stephen Lawrence, Doreen Lawrence, meets with Metropolitan Police Chief Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe at a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(21 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: (L-R) Mother of Stephen Lawrence, Doreen Lawrence meets with Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband at a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(22 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: (L-R) Mother of Stephen Lawrence, Doreen Lawrence meets London Mayor Boris Johnson at a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(23 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: (L-R) Mother of Stephen Lawrence, Doreen Lawrence meets singer Beverley Knight at a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(24 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Prime Minister David Cameron (C) walks across Trafalgar Square to attend a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in 2January 012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-MURDER-RACISM-ANNIVERSARY(25 of47)
British Prime Minister David Cameron poses for photographs with Doreen Lawrence, mother of killed teenager Stephen Lawrence, outside St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in central London on April 22, 2013 as they attend a memorial marking the 20th anniversary of his death. Lawrence, 18, was murdered by a gang of racists who stabbed him as he waited for a bus in Eltham, south-east London on April 22, 1993. PHOTO/CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-MURDER-RACISM-ANNIVERSARY(26 of47)
British Prime Minister David Cameron arrives at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in central London on April 22, 2013 to attend a memorial marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a racist attack. Lawrence, 18, was murdered by a gang of racists who stabbed him as he waited for a bus in Eltham, south-east London on April 22, 1993. PHOTO/CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(27 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Mother of Stephen Lawrence, Doreen Lawrence, waits for guests to arrive at a memorial service for her son Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(28 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Footballer Sol Campbell arrives at a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(29 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: (L-R) Doreen Lawrence meets with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at a memorial service for her son Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(30 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: An order of service is shown at a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(31 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: A picture of Stephen Lawrence is displayed inside St Martin-in-the-Fields Church ahead of a memorial service on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student, was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(32 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Singer Emeli Sande arrives at a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A Memorial Is Held On The 20th Anniversary Of The Murder Of Stephen Lawrence(33 of47)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: An order of service is shown at a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church on April 22, 2013 in London, England. Stephen Lawrence, a black A-level student was stabbed to death at a bus stop twenty years ago by a gang of white youths in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, south-east London, on April 22, 1993. Two men, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder in January 2012. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(34 of47)
Prime Minister David Cameron gives a reading during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(35 of47)
Mayor of London Boris Johnson (left) and home secretary Theresa May (right)during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(36 of47)
Doreen Lawrence lights a candle with her son Stuart (left) during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(37 of47)
Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and Labour leader Ed Miliband (right) during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(38 of47)
Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and Labour leader Ed Milliband (right) during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(39 of47)
Doreen Lawrence during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(40 of47)
Stuart Lawrence, brother of Stephen, makes a speech during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(41 of47)
Doreen Lawrence during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(42 of47)
London Mayor Boris Johnson lights a candle during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(43 of47)
Stuart Lawrence, brother of Stephen, makes a speech during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(44 of47)
Prime Minister David Cameron (centre), Labour leader Ed Milliband (right) and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (2nd left) during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(45 of47)
Labour Leader Ed Milliband gives a reading during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(46 of47)
Prime Minister David Cameron (centre), Labour leader Ed Milliband (right) and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (2nd left) during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Stephen Lawrence Memorial Service(47 of47)
Prime Minister David Cameron during a memorial service for Stephen Lawrence at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London. (credit:PA)
Starkey, who said he was "born quite seriously disabled", added people with physical and mental disabilities should not be portrayed as victims.
And he claimed fears of Islamophobia were victimising Muslims, making them "therefore somehow privileged and exempt".
A recent poll showed many Muslims reported higher community tensions, with one in three saying they felt under greater suspicion in the last few years, while 44% of non-Muslims reporting being more wary.