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Anne Marie Morris: Tory MP suspended for saying 'real n***** in the woodpile' at meeting has party whip restored | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Tory MP who was suspended for using the phrase a “real n***** in the woodpile” at a meeting about Brexit has had the party whip restored. | |
The Conservative Party gave no explanation for the decision to lift the suspension imposed on Anne Marie Morris, the MP for Newton Abbot, in Devon. | The Conservative Party gave no explanation for the decision to lift the suspension imposed on Anne Marie Morris, the MP for Newton Abbot, in Devon. |
But it announced the move alongside a fresh apology from Ms Morris for “using such inappropriate and offensive language”. | But it announced the move alongside a fresh apology from Ms Morris for “using such inappropriate and offensive language”. |
The MP’s secretly recorded remarks triggered outrage when they were revealed in July and were condemned by Theresa May as “shocking and unacceptable”. | |
Ms Morris, an MP since 2010, had been discussing what financial services deal the UK could strike with Brussels after 2019, suggesting just 7 per cent of such services would be affected. | |
She told a meeting of Eurosceptics: “Now I’m sure there will be many people who’ll challenge that, but my response and my request is look at the detail. It isn’t all doom and gloom. | |
“Now we get to the real n***** in the woodpile, which is, in two years, what happens if there is no deal?” | |
Within four hours, the Prime Minister had announced her punishment, saying: “I was shocked to hear of these remarks, which are completely unacceptable. | |
“I immediately asked the chief whip to suspend the party whip. Language like this has absolutely no place in politics or in today’s society.” | |
The decision to end her suspension was announced in an email, which read simply: “Anne Marie Morris has the Conservative whip restored.” | |
The MP herself said: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again for using such inappropriate and offensive language. It was a mistake and I regret it unreservedly. | |
“I have learned from this experience and have a new determination to uphold the highest possible standards in public life. | |
“I feel proud and privileged to be a Member of Parliament and I will continue to serve my community and my country to the best of my ability.” | |
The comments were recorded by the Huffington Post website, at the East India Club, in London. | |
The Prime Minister later told the Commons: “I think it is beholden on us all to ensure we use appropriate language at all times.” |