TORY MP’S N-WORD SHAME
Morris faces calls to quit over race slur
A TORY MP sparked fury after using vile racist language in a Brexit debate.
Anne Marie Morris was recorded saying “n ***** in the woodpile” during the meeting.
Theresa May only suspended the Devon MP. But Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: “She must resign.”
TORY Anne Marie Morris last night faced furious demands to quit over her racist comment.
But anger at her use of the N-word grew after Theresa May refused to sack the blundering MP – despite insisting such vile language has “no place in politics or in today’s society”.
The PM only suspended her, meaning she can sit as an independent until allowed back into the party fold.
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: “She should resign and she needs to resign.
“You simply cannot have people who hold these views representing people. She has shown with these comments that she is simply not up to the job.”
Labour MP Chuka Umunna tweeted: “Speechless, not just at the remark but also at the reported lack of a reaction from the Tories. Utterly appalling.”
Jeremy Corbyn’s election campaign co-ordinator Andrew Gwynne added: “Anne Marie Morris’ comments are outrageous and totally unaccep-
And then we get to the real n ***** in the woodpile which is in two years what happens if there is no deal? ANNE MARIE MORRIS TORY MP
table.” Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said: “Appalling. No place in our politics for racism, full stop.”
Ms Morris, MP for Newton Abbot in Devon, apologised “unreservedly” for using the offensive word during a talk on post-Brexit deals at the East India Club in Central London organised by the Politeia think tank.
In a leaked audio clip the 60-year-old is heard to say: “And then we get to the real n ***** in the woodpile which is in two years what happens if there is no deal?” She insisted the comment was “entirely unintentional”. But Tory colleague Heidi Allen said: “I’m afraid an apology is not good enough, we must show zero tolerance for racism. MPs must lead by example.”
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker tweeted: “Is it actually possible to make an unintended comment? Apologies, that was an unintentional tweet.”
Former footballer Stan Collymore added: “So Anne Marie Morris MP thinks saying “n ***** in the woodpile” is OK? In which century? Same old Tories, never far under the surface.” Mrs May confirmed she had taken action against Ms Morris.
She said: “I was shocked to hear of these remarks, which are completely unacceptable.
“I immediately asked the Chief Whip to suspend the party whip.”
But Labour’s Kevin Brennan ambushed the PM in the Commons on the subject as she spoke about the weekend’s G20 summit.
He said: “Not all G20 countries have made the progress we have in relation to racist and discriminatory language.
“Do you agree that where that happens organisations should take decisive and swift action?” The PM said: “I have to say that I think it is beholden on us all to ensure that we use appropriate language.”
Ms Morris’ electoral agent and partner Roger Kendrick recently claimed Britain’s education crisis was “due entirely to non-British born immigrants and their high birth rates”. She distanced herself from the remark.