 In an introduction to a new edition of "Chambers Dictionary" in August 2008 Paxman labelled the work of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns as "sentimental doggerel".Paxman himself is quarter-Scottish through his maternal grandmother, a fact which he stated has led to many of his comments being misunderstood as he regards the Scots "with affection".Paxman was criticised as disrespectful when commenting on the possible exit of Greece from the Eurozone on an edition of "Newsnight" on 31 May 2012.