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| Michael Fabricant blasted for tweet saying he would 'punch Yasmin Alibhai-Brown in the throat' | Michael Fabricant blasted for tweet saying he would 'punch Yasmin Alibhai-Brown in the throat' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Michael Fabricant has faced a backlash of criticism after tweeting that he would “end up punching” journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown “in the throat” if he ever had to appear on a discussion programme with her. | Michael Fabricant has faced a backlash of criticism after tweeting that he would “end up punching” journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown “in the throat” if he ever had to appear on a discussion programme with her. |
| His tweet came after Ms Alibhai-Brown appeared on Channel 4 news on Thursday evening, where she became embroiled in a heated debate with the Spectator columnist Rod Liddle. | His tweet came after Ms Alibhai-Brown appeared on Channel 4 news on Thursday evening, where she became embroiled in a heated debate with the Spectator columnist Rod Liddle. |
| At one point during the exchange, which discussed race, religion and British values, she told Mr Liddle: "I have no words for how much I loathe you." Mr Liddle responded with: "I feel warm inside and I'd like to embrace Yasmin for saying that." | At one point during the exchange, which discussed race, religion and British values, she told Mr Liddle: "I have no words for how much I loathe you." Mr Liddle responded with: "I feel warm inside and I'd like to embrace Yasmin for saying that." |
| The Conservative MP for Lichfield received an angry barrage of tweets just minutes after the post, with Gloria De Piero, the shadow minister for women and equalities, calling it "a disgusting thing to say" and asking for him to apologise immediately. | The Conservative MP for Lichfield received an angry barrage of tweets just minutes after the post, with Gloria De Piero, the shadow minister for women and equalities, calling it "a disgusting thing to say" and asking for him to apologise immediately. |
| He also retweeted a comment by Twitter user @robbill123, that called for Ms Alibhai-Brown "to be deported". | |
| Others described his comment as "unacceptable" and condemned him for "threatening physical violence" while standing as an elected representative. | Others described his comment as "unacceptable" and condemned him for "threatening physical violence" while standing as an elected representative. |
| Baroness Hussein-Ece asked Mr Fabricant: "Really? - You an MP want to 'punch a woman in the throat?'" Mr Fabricant, however, defended his tweet when asked if he thought it was appropriate, and expressed his severe dislike for Ms Alibhai-Brown. | Baroness Hussein-Ece asked Mr Fabricant: "Really? - You an MP want to 'punch a woman in the throat?'" Mr Fabricant, however, defended his tweet when asked if he thought it was appropriate, and expressed his severe dislike for Ms Alibhai-Brown. |
| The Conservative party also demanded an apology from the politician. A spokesperson said: "Mr Fabricant's comments were completely unacceptable, in poor taste and he should immediately apologise." | |
| Speaking to The Independent, Mr Fabricant insisted: "I wouldn't have tweeted it if I didn't think it was appropriate" and said he was unaware that anyone had asked for him to apologise because he had not checked his Twitter feed. | Speaking to The Independent, Mr Fabricant insisted: "I wouldn't have tweeted it if I didn't think it was appropriate" and said he was unaware that anyone had asked for him to apologise because he had not checked his Twitter feed. |
| @Mike_Fabricant @y_alibhai Totally unacceptable tweet. I think you should retract that statement and apologise. | @Mike_Fabricant @y_alibhai Totally unacceptable tweet. I think you should retract that statement and apologise. |
| .@Mike_Fabricant @y_alibhai Really? - You an MP want to 'punch a woman in the throat?' | .@Mike_Fabricant @y_alibhai Really? - You an MP want to 'punch a woman in the throat?' |
| What a disgusting thing to say @Mike_Fabricant. I think you shld apologise to @y_alibhai. @EVAWhd | What a disgusting thing to say @Mike_Fabricant. I think you shld apologise to @y_alibhai. @EVAWhd |
| @Mike_Fabricant Unbelievably appalling comment for a member of parliament to make in public (or anywhere). Quite shocked. | @Mike_Fabricant Unbelievably appalling comment for a member of parliament to make in public (or anywhere). Quite shocked. |
| He then took to Twitter shortly after and appeared to soften his stance, tweeting: "Just out of dentist. It appears that some people who don't know me think I actually go round punching "in the throat". Not true. | He then took to Twitter shortly after and appeared to soften his stance, tweeting: "Just out of dentist. It appears that some people who don't know me think I actually go round punching "in the throat". Not true. |
| "If anyone believes I would seriously threaten someone with violence, I of course withdraw and apologise. | "If anyone believes I would seriously threaten someone with violence, I of course withdraw and apologise. |
| "I am afraid I know I would get v angry if I had been on the Ch4 debate last night. Glad it was Rod Liddle and not me!" | "I am afraid I know I would get v angry if I had been on the Ch4 debate last night. Glad it was Rod Liddle and not me!" |