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MP Michael Fabricant apologises for 'punch journalist' joke | MP Michael Fabricant apologises for 'punch journalist' joke |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Conservative MP has apologised for saying he might end up punching a journalist "in the throat" if he appeared on a panel show with her. | A Conservative MP has apologised for saying he might end up punching a journalist "in the throat" if he appeared on a panel show with her. |
Michael Fabricant tweeted the remark after Yasmin Alibhai-Brown took part in a Channel 4 News discussion. | Michael Fabricant tweeted the remark after Yasmin Alibhai-Brown took part in a Channel 4 News discussion. |
Ms Alibhai-Brown said she was shocked and has called on David Cameron to withdraw his party whip. | Ms Alibhai-Brown said she was shocked and has called on David Cameron to withdraw his party whip. |
Mr Fabricant said he was wrong to joke about punching. "I of course withdraw and apologise," he said. | Mr Fabricant said he was wrong to joke about punching. "I of course withdraw and apologise," he said. |
The tweet said: "I could never appear on a discussion prog with @y_alibhai I would either end up with a brain haemorrhage or by punching her in the throat." | The tweet said: "I could never appear on a discussion prog with @y_alibhai I would either end up with a brain haemorrhage or by punching her in the throat." |
Newspaper columnist Ms Alibhai-Brown said an apology was not enough and the Lichfield MP should have his party whip withdrawn. | |
"The Tories can't bear people like me," she said. | "The Tories can't bear people like me," she said. |
"They expect people like me to be their ayah [nursemaid] wiping their bottoms or selling them cigarettes in the corner shop; this idea of a nursing maid looking after their children. | |
"They cannot accept we are confident." | "They cannot accept we are confident." |
Ms Alibhai-Brown took part in a Channel Four news debate with Spectator columnist Rod Liddle on Thursday night. | Ms Alibhai-Brown took part in a Channel Four news debate with Spectator columnist Rod Liddle on Thursday night. |
Mr Fabricant later took to Twitter to say sorry for his remark. | Mr Fabricant later took to Twitter to say sorry for his remark. |
He said: "If anyone believes I would seriously threaten someone with violence, I of course withdraw and apologise." | He said: "If anyone believes I would seriously threaten someone with violence, I of course withdraw and apologise." |
'Utterly appalling' | 'Utterly appalling' |
The former Tory whip was sacked as a vice-chairman of the Conservative Party after he criticised the HS2 rail scheme and made online comments about the Maria Miller expenses row. | The former Tory whip was sacked as a vice-chairman of the Conservative Party after he criticised the HS2 rail scheme and made online comments about the Maria Miller expenses row. |
On that occasion he tweeted: "Maria Miller has resigned. Well, about time." | On that occasion he tweeted: "Maria Miller has resigned. Well, about time." |
MP Gloria De Piero MP, Labour's Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, described the tweet as "utterly appalling". | MP Gloria De Piero MP, Labour's Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, described the tweet as "utterly appalling". |
"It is unacceptable that views like this persist in the Conservative Party," she said. | "It is unacceptable that views like this persist in the Conservative Party," she said. |
"David Cameron needs to be clear about this and set out what action he will be taking." | "David Cameron needs to be clear about this and set out what action he will be taking." |
Meanwhile, councillor Chris Worsey, the Labour candidate for Lichfield, also condemned the comment and said: "He appears to be advocating violence towards women." | Meanwhile, councillor Chris Worsey, the Labour candidate for Lichfield, also condemned the comment and said: "He appears to be advocating violence towards women." |
A Conservative party spokesman said: "Mr Fabricant's comments were completely unacceptable, in poor taste and he should immediately apologise." | A Conservative party spokesman said: "Mr Fabricant's comments were completely unacceptable, in poor taste and he should immediately apologise." |