Anger at new mental health minister’s Beachy Head jibe

THE new Tory Minister for Suicide Prevention was slammed last night for joking about jumping off Beachy Head.

Jackie Doyle-Price’s new role was announced by Theresa May in an attempt to reduce the stigma around the issue.

But within hours she faced a backlash over a jibe she made in 2014. When quizzed whether she would defect to the far right, she

BACKLASH Jackie Doyle-Price said: “I would sooner jump off Beachy Head than join UKIP.”

Labour said Ms Doyle-Price’s comments were “completely inappropriate”. A Downing Street source said No10 were not aware of the comment. They added: “There is a serious job she will be taking forward.” An estimated 20 people leap off the East Sussex headland each year. In total there are 4,500 suicides annually in England alone.