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Austin Mitchell dismisses 'no chance' of Grimsby loss remarks | Austin Mitchell dismisses 'no chance' of Grimsby loss remarks |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Labour's retiring Great Grimsby MP, Austin Mitchell, has dismissed claims he said the party could retain the seat at the election even if its candidate was an "alcoholic" or "paedophile". | Labour's retiring Great Grimsby MP, Austin Mitchell, has dismissed claims he said the party could retain the seat at the election even if its candidate was an "alcoholic" or "paedophile". |
Mr Mitchell, who is to vacate his seat in May, was quoted making the comment in an Independent on Sunday interview. | Mr Mitchell, who is to vacate his seat in May, was quoted making the comment in an Independent on Sunday interview. |
But he told the BBC: "If that was said, it was as a joke and I'm not sure I would have phrased it like that." | But he told the BBC: "If that was said, it was as a joke and I'm not sure I would have phrased it like that." |
He rejected the notion that he had shown a lack of respect to voters. | |
"It was a journalist trick of trying to create a row where none exists", he said. | "It was a journalist trick of trying to create a row where none exists", he said. |
Labour's shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said he did not agree with Mr Mitchell's reported comments. | Labour's shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said he did not agree with Mr Mitchell's reported comments. |
Meanwhile, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said it was a "massive shot in the arm" for his party, which is mounting a challenge for the seat at May's general election. | Meanwhile, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said it was a "massive shot in the arm" for his party, which is mounting a challenge for the seat at May's general election. |
Grimsby has been held by Labour since 1945, with Mr Mitchell representing the constituency since 1977. | Grimsby has been held by Labour since 1945, with Mr Mitchell representing the constituency since 1977. |
'First rate candidate' | 'First rate candidate' |
The Independent on Sunday reported that Mr Mitchell had said Labour would hold on to the seat in May even if its candidate was a "raving alcoholic sex paedophile". | |
Pressed to say if the comments were accurate, Mr Mitchell said: "If I did say it - and I can't remember saying it, it's not phrased as I would have said it because I don't talk of sex paedophiles, that would be a curious way for phrasing it - then it's contrary to what I was saying to the reporter." | Pressed to say if the comments were accurate, Mr Mitchell said: "If I did say it - and I can't remember saying it, it's not phrased as I would have said it because I don't talk of sex paedophiles, that would be a curious way for phrasing it - then it's contrary to what I was saying to the reporter." |
He said he had been trying to make the point that many people are disgruntled with the two-party political system, and Labour needs to work hard to win them back. | He said he had been trying to make the point that many people are disgruntled with the two-party political system, and Labour needs to work hard to win them back. |
"Now that's respect for the electorate, not contempt, it's ridiculous to argue that," he added. | "Now that's respect for the electorate, not contempt, it's ridiculous to argue that," he added. |
The outgoing MP endorsed the Labour candidate, Melanie Onn, who will contest the seat at the election, describing her as a "first rate candidate". | The outgoing MP endorsed the Labour candidate, Melanie Onn, who will contest the seat at the election, describing her as a "first rate candidate". |
And he repeated his assertion that UKIP would not win in Grimsby in May, insisting Labour would hold on to the seat. | And he repeated his assertion that UKIP would not win in Grimsby in May, insisting Labour would hold on to the seat. |
At the last election Mr Mitchell won with a majority of 714 over Conservative candidate Victoria Ayling - who will fight the constituency for UKIP in 2015. | At the last election Mr Mitchell won with a majority of 714 over Conservative candidate Victoria Ayling - who will fight the constituency for UKIP in 2015. |
Many commentators have identified the seat as one of UKIP's key targets in the north of England. | Many commentators have identified the seat as one of UKIP's key targets in the north of England. |
The party has polled strongly in the area in recent local elections and in the 2014 European elections. | The party has polled strongly in the area in recent local elections and in the 2014 European elections. |
The BBC's Robin Brant said UKIP would use Mr Mitchell's comments to try to "batter" Labour in an area where the party was "increasingly confident" it could win. | |
He said Mr Mitchell was known for speaking "off the cuff", but added: "That sense of complacency, that sense of arrogance, is hugely damaging [to Labour]." | |
'Very cynical' | 'Very cynical' |
Commenting on the story, Mr Umunna said he did not think Mr Mitchell was trying to "sabotage" Ms Onn's campaign. | Commenting on the story, Mr Umunna said he did not think Mr Mitchell was trying to "sabotage" Ms Onn's campaign. |
He insisted Labour did not take voters for granted, and added: "We're not seeking to insult anybody here." | He insisted Labour did not take voters for granted, and added: "We're not seeking to insult anybody here." |
UKIP leader Nigel Farage told the BBC: "I get the impression that Austin Mitchell is not happy with his replacement who he feels is somebody that represents the metropolitan elite and I think he's just given UKIP a massive shot in the arm." | UKIP leader Nigel Farage told the BBC: "I get the impression that Austin Mitchell is not happy with his replacement who he feels is somebody that represents the metropolitan elite and I think he's just given UKIP a massive shot in the arm." |
He also said the remarks were "a very cynical comment" about Britain's electoral system, and predicted the general election would prompt a "serious debate" about electoral reform. | He also said the remarks were "a very cynical comment" about Britain's electoral system, and predicted the general election would prompt a "serious debate" about electoral reform. |
Mr Mitchell announced in 2014 that he would not be seeking re-election at the upcoming general election in May. | Mr Mitchell announced in 2014 that he would not be seeking re-election at the upcoming general election in May. |
Last July, the MP had surgery to repair a leaky heart valve after fainting in the Houses of Parliament. | Last July, the MP had surgery to repair a leaky heart valve after fainting in the Houses of Parliament. |