New MP in rival T-shirt row
Newly-elected Conservative wore garment bearing face of her political rival
OLIVIA BARON
ANEWLY-ELECTED MP is facing backlash after a photo was posted showing her wearing a T-shirt branding the face of the rival she beat in the recent general election.
Conservative MP Sara Britcliffe won the Hyndburn constituency from Labour’s Graham Jones, with it being the first time in 27 years a Tory MP has taken the seat.
The result saw Ms Britcliffe receive 20,565 votes, while Jones received 17,614.
Labour candidate, Graham Jones, admitted he was ‘disappointed’ with the result but went on to congratulate his successor, Sara.
However, Ms Britcliffe has now faced criticism Hyndburn residents for a photo reportedly posted on a friend’s social media page showing her wearing a T-shirt with Mr Jones’ face printed on.
With the photo posted on the Hyndburn Chat Facebook group and receiving more than 100 comments, many blasted what they described as “childish behaviour” and questioned her professionalism, but others said it was “refreshing” to see politicians and the local MP behaving like a normal human being.
Britcliffe responded to the criticism, saying people have got the ‘wrong end of the stick’ and that it was a secret Santa present which actually mocked her.
She said: “It seems people have got the wrong end of the stick here. I have apologised to Graham.
“There was no mocking of him, it was a secret Santa present and in fact mocked me. I’m sorry if this has caused offence. I lost a bet, a couple of my friends vote labour and made me wear this T-shirt.
“Also, just to note, this has been taken from my friends private social media account and a private party.”
Mr Jones says, however, that he has not received an apology.
He said: “I have not received any apology from Sara.
“Her father and his colleagues have my mobile telephone number. I have so far said little. I have been very gracious to her in defeat.
“Quite frankly this sort of behaviour is disgusting, childish and not befitting of an MP and if it was done in private then being two faced and untrustworthy about it makes the matter worse.
“Blaming it on friends and being drunk demonstrates an inability to fulfil the role responsibly.
“I hope she manages to turn this disastrous start around. And perhaps she can be honest and tell everyone what the words were on the T-shirt?”
The Observer has contacted Sara Britcliffe for further comment.