It isn't an entirely different debate, it is fundamental to this in that his behaviour here isn't radically different to how he talks/writes in general. The main source of controversy is simply down to the old identity politics - it is a result of who he spoke about and not the manner in which he spoke.
I disagree with an awful lot of what he says but I don't remember the last time he made derogatory remarks about the attire of catholic nuns or the Amish in a political comment piece? Next time he does I will be equally happy to demand an apology, the old it's just the way bumbling Boris is defence is tiresome and dull he is no longer a 15 year old school boy but a man who aspires to lead our country.