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| General election 2019: Gower Tory candidate apologises for Facebook post | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A Conservative general election candidate has apologised for a Facebook post in which she said people on a TV show needed "putting down". | |
| Francesca O'Brien, who is running for the Gower seat in December's election, made the comments about Channel 4's Benefits Street in January 2014. | Francesca O'Brien, who is running for the Gower seat in December's election, made the comments about Channel 4's Benefits Street in January 2014. |
| Ms O'Brien said her comments were made "off the cuff" but admitted her "use of language was unacceptable". | Ms O'Brien said her comments were made "off the cuff" but admitted her "use of language was unacceptable". |
| She is still set to run in the general election on 12 December. | |
| Ms O'Brien, a former commissioned officer with RAF Air Cadets, was selected to be the Conservative party candidate for Gower in October after an open primary in which residents were able to participate as opposed to just party members. | |
| Having lost Gower to Labour in the 2017 election, the seat is a top Tory target in Wales. | Having lost Gower to Labour in the 2017 election, the seat is a top Tory target in Wales. |
| In the posts following the broadcast of the first episode of Benefits Street five years ago, Ms O'Brien said: "Benefit Street..anyone else watching this?? Wow, these people are unreal!!!" | In the posts following the broadcast of the first episode of Benefits Street five years ago, Ms O'Brien said: "Benefit Street..anyone else watching this?? Wow, these people are unreal!!!" |
| Responding to another user's comment, she said: "My blood is boiling, these people need putting down." | Responding to another user's comment, she said: "My blood is boiling, these people need putting down." |
| In a statement released on Sunday, Ms O'Brien said: "These comments were made off the cuff, a number of years ago. | In a statement released on Sunday, Ms O'Brien said: "These comments were made off the cuff, a number of years ago. |
| "However, I accept that my use of language was unacceptable and I would like to apologise for any upset I have caused." | "However, I accept that my use of language was unacceptable and I would like to apologise for any upset I have caused." |
| Benefits Street, which featured the residents of James Turner Street in Birmingham, was a ratings hit for Channel 4 when it was broadcast. | Benefits Street, which featured the residents of James Turner Street in Birmingham, was a ratings hit for Channel 4 when it was broadcast. |
| But a total of 887 viewers complained to the broadcasting regulator, claiming the show had vilified and misrepresented benefits claimants. | But a total of 887 viewers complained to the broadcasting regulator, claiming the show had vilified and misrepresented benefits claimants. |
| Ofcom decided the programme did not breach broadcasting rules. | Ofcom decided the programme did not breach broadcasting rules. |
| Ms O'Brien is due to stand against Labour's Tonia Antoniazzi and Sam Bennett of the Liberal Democrats. Other parties are yet to confirm their candidates. | Ms O'Brien is due to stand against Labour's Tonia Antoniazzi and Sam Bennett of the Liberal Democrats. Other parties are yet to confirm their candidates. |