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Cambridge Folk Festival disability insult row Cambridge Folk Festival disability insult row
(about 5 hours later)
An ex-Paralympian and her husband said they were called "window lickers" by a member of staff at "Europe's most prestigious folk festival".An ex-Paralympian and her husband said they were called "window lickers" by a member of staff at "Europe's most prestigious folk festival".
Swimmer Fran Williamson and former GB rowing cox Dr Chris Whitaker said they heard the remark as they left the Cambridge Folk Festival.Swimmer Fran Williamson and former GB rowing cox Dr Chris Whitaker said they heard the remark as they left the Cambridge Folk Festival.
The pair said they were deeply hurt by the comment, which marred an otherwise "really disability-friendly" event.The pair said they were deeply hurt by the comment, which marred an otherwise "really disability-friendly" event.
A festival spokesman said they found "no evidence" after investigating.A festival spokesman said they found "no evidence" after investigating.
Dr Whitaker said he and his wife, a six-times Paralympic medallist who has cerebral palsy, were leaving the festival on Friday when they heard the offensive term.Dr Whitaker said he and his wife, a six-times Paralympic medallist who has cerebral palsy, were leaving the festival on Friday when they heard the offensive term.
More news from CambridgeshireMore news from Cambridgeshire
"As we were walking away there was a reference made to us being 'window lickers'."As we were walking away there was a reference made to us being 'window lickers'.
"Luckily at the time I didn't realise what was going on but Fran most certainly did and was shaking with rage," he wrote."Luckily at the time I didn't realise what was going on but Fran most certainly did and was shaking with rage," he wrote.
"She finally explained to me and I was livid.""She finally explained to me and I was livid."
In an open letter on his own blog, Dr Whitaker, who works for disability charity Papworth Trust, wrote to the person he said insulted them: "I don't even know your name but I really wanted to write to you and tell you how I felt after our conversation last night.In an open letter on his own blog, Dr Whitaker, who works for disability charity Papworth Trust, wrote to the person he said insulted them: "I don't even know your name but I really wanted to write to you and tell you how I felt after our conversation last night.
"Your use of the words 'window licker' to describe my wife and I was deeply, deeply hurtful.""Your use of the words 'window licker' to describe my wife and I was deeply, deeply hurtful."
He added: "Remarks like yours... have a lingering, corrosive effect on my confidence."He added: "Remarks like yours... have a lingering, corrosive effect on my confidence."
'Misguided and moronic''Misguided and moronic'
A number of people have commented, including Britain's most-decorated Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, who described it as "appalling".A number of people have commented, including Britain's most-decorated Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, who described it as "appalling".
Folk festival organisers, Cambridge Live, responded to Dr Whittaker's comment on Twitter, saying they were "equally shocked" and were investigating.Folk festival organisers, Cambridge Live, responded to Dr Whittaker's comment on Twitter, saying they were "equally shocked" and were investigating.
In a statement released later, a spokesman said a number of staff who would have heard the alleged comment were interviewed on site.In a statement released later, a spokesman said a number of staff who would have heard the alleged comment were interviewed on site.
The investigation found "no evidence" to suggest the term was used, he said, and "pointed to a comment about something else being possibly misheard or misconstrued."The investigation found "no evidence" to suggest the term was used, he said, and "pointed to a comment about something else being possibly misheard or misconstrued."
Dr Whitaker, who also has cerebral palsy, confirmed he had spoken with the organisers, but said: "We know what we heard." Dr Whitaker, who also has cerebral palsy, confirmed he had spoken with the organisers, but insisted they had correctly heard the "misguided and moronic" comment.
However, he said it was "an isolated incident" in the couple's experience, but described the insult as "misguided and moronic". However, he said it was "an isolated incident" in the couple's experience, and Ms Williamson later tweeted to say the couple "still loved the festival".
"[The organisers] were very apologetic. I have also offered to engage with the festival longer-term on disability-related issues, which is a positive outcome." "[The organisers] were very apologetic," Dr Whitaker said.
"I have also offered to engage with the festival longer-term on disability-related issues, which is a positive outcome."
The festival, which bills itself as "Europe's most prestigious" folk event, was held over the weekend and headlined by Christy Moore, Gogol Bordello, and Imelda May.The festival, which bills itself as "Europe's most prestigious" folk event, was held over the weekend and headlined by Christy Moore, Gogol Bordello, and Imelda May.