Tory baroness uses the C-word in Lords
IT is a moment in history that she may come to regret.
Baroness Jenkin of Kennington used the most offensive word in the English language during a debate in the House of Lords.
The Tory peer had been complaining about Labour and Momentum activists abusing a Tory candidate at the general election when she used the obscenity.
She said the activists had yelled ‘f***ing Tory ****’ at the young female candidate for Ealing Central and Acton.
It was believed to be the first use of the word in the Lords – but provoked no immediate response from her fellow peers.
Lady Jenkin, 62-year-old wife of Tory MP Bernard Jenkin, held the case up as an example of abuse suffered by women when trying to stand for office. Her comments came during a debate about the role played by social media as news publishers.
‘During the election campaign in June the Ealing Central and Acton Conservative candidate was met daily outside her home by a large group of Momentum and Labour activists yelling at her,’ she said.
‘I quote – and please forgive the unparliamentary language and block your ears if you are sensitive or easily offended – yelling, “f***ing Tory ****”.
‘This young woman has a young child. How can this be acceptable and how does this not deter other mothers from stepping up?
‘Her activists and volunteers were routinely spat at. An Asian activist [ was told] that she deserved to have her throat slit and be in the ground for being a Conservative, and much more – especially on social media.’
Lady Jenkin, who is co- chairman of the Women2Win group aiming to elect more Conservative women to Parliament, said standing for election and public office for whatever political party should be ‘recognised and celebrated as a noble, honourable and responsible action to take’.
Abusive behaviour was fuelled by the ‘anonymity that social media platforms provide’ and an example of increasing abuse and intimidation of candidates.
‘Civil, criminal and electoral laws were broken yet no action was taken,’ she said. ‘Online platforms have a responsibility to play their part in preventing this.’
Lady Jenkin said a recent inquiry showed that Conservative candidates and especially women were more likely to be the targets of intimidatory behaviour.
‘ A Conservative candidate was met daily outside her home by a large group of Momentum and Labour ’ activists yelling f***ing Tory **** Baroness Jenkin yesterday