A CONSERVATIVE MP been accused of "misogyny" after apparently mocking the appearance of a young Labour activist.
Lauren Howells, a 23-year-old campaigner for the Labour Party, joked on her account that Christmas was “ruined” after her boyfriend received a “Merry Christmas” letter from Tory Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer.
Posting an image holding the card with her thumb pointing down on Sunday, Howells said: “Just found this on the shelf in boyfriend’s family home, Christmas ruined.”
Orange with rage. https://t.co/6tJ9iW7NKb
— Brendan Clarke-Smith MP (@Bren4Bassetlaw) December 26, 2022
On Boxing Day, Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith replied to the post, suggesting Howells was “orange with rage” in an apparent attack on her appearance.
The comments from the Bassetlaw MP were described as “disgraceful” and “misogynistic”.
From an actual Tory MP 🫣🐸☕️
— Lauren (@laurenhowellss) December 26, 2022
It’s clearly a joke mate, misogyny isn’t https://t.co/6HxCRI4B6q
Tweeting her shock at the remarks, Howells said: “From an actual Tory MP. It’s clearly a joke mate, misogyny isn’t.”
She added: “The amount of tweets about my appearance and assumed intelligence I see from the little hard right misogynistic hate cult really does make me laugh. The left clearly aren’t the intolerant ones.”
Mike P Williams also replied to Clarke-Smith, saying: “You seriously got up at 9am on Boxing Day just to share misogyny. Aren't you a top bloke?”
READ MORE: Tory minister's Twitter account 'hacked' and flooded with Elon Musk and crypto tweets
Another user said: “Disgusting and wholly inappropriate from a sitting Member of Parliament.”
Meanwhile one Twitter user said: "In what kind of civilised society does an elected representative make fun of a young lady’s appearance because she made a joke about a Christmas card?"
The Conservative Party have been approached for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel