Union boss in pretty pickle after sexist jibe at Brexit’s Miss Patel
IT was attempt to put the case for how the EU has enhanced workers’ rights. But perhaps union boss Tim Roache wasn’t the best man to talk about equality and the like yesterday.
In fact, the general secretary of the GMB blundered straight into a row about sexism after he declared that there was a ‘contradiction’ in Priti Patel’s name.
He later tried to excuse the remark by insisting that it was Miss Patel’s policies that weren’t pretty – only to be denounced as an ignoramus online.
Mr Roache made the attack on the employment minister and Leave campaigner as he spoke at the union’s annual congress in Bournemouth.
He said he disagreed with politicians arguing for Brexit because of the impact on workers’ rights of leaving the EU. He said: ‘Priti Patel, surely a contradiction in a name.’
Tory MP James Cleverly questioned whether Mr Roache was ‘sexist, racist, blind or all three’. He added: ‘I thought making political attacks based on a woman’s looks was a thing of the past.’
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a Tory MP and Vote Leave spokesman, said: ‘This abuse is a new low for the Remain campaign – and is exactly the kind of negativity that voters are rejecting.’
Remain campaigner Anna Soubry, a former defence minister, said an important debate on the EU referendum had descended into ‘personal attacks and stereotypical nonsense’. The Tory MP said: ‘Tim Roache, think you should go on one of your sexism courses. You’re not helping us win Stronger In, nor your women workers.’
Mr Roache took to Twitter to hit back, saying: ‘Not sexist in the slightest. Listen to the CONTEXT. What she SAYS and thinks of workers and rights is not pretty.’
Twitter users demanded an apology. One wrote: ‘You’re not exactly a male model yourself, you ignoramus.’ Another said: ‘Appalled to hear reports of blatant sexist comments from Tim Roache.’