RIGHT ROYAL MESS
MP sparks storm with Prince Philip tweet
LABOUR’S Chi Onwurah refused to apologise after sparking a storm with a “tasteless” tweet about Prince Philip.
It was announced yesterday the Duke of Edinburgh, 95, will no longer attend public engagements.
Ms Onwurah, who will fight to retain the Newcastle Central seat she’s held since 2010 at next month’s General Election, posted on Twitter: “Congratulations to Prince Philip on retiring in financial security at time of his choosing from a job he enjoys #forthemanynotthefew #waspi.”
But the tweet sparked a furious backlash online, with both voters and political rivals slamming her “tasteless” comments.
One said: “This is why you’ve lost so much of your support nationally. You won’t be winning it back any time soon.”
Another added: “She certainly doesn’t speak for me or the Labour Party. The guy is 95 and a war veteran.”
Tory candidate for Stratford-onAvon Nadhim Zahawi said: “That is shameful & wrong. I am truly shocked by your comments. The Royal family should be kept out of politics. I hope you will apologise.”
Andrew Rosindell, Conservative candidate for Romford, said: “Prince Philip has dedicate d over six decades of his life to loyally serving the people of the United Kingdom and, at 95 years of age, he has made the understandable decision that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year.
“I am disgusted by the comments made by Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour candidate, Chi Onwurah, to imply Prince Philip is not a dedicated public servant. Prince Philip has gone 30 years beyond retirement age carrying out hundreds of engagements every year across Britain and indeed the world. Yet along with Jeremy Corbyn’s demand to scrap the monarchy, and his refusal to sing the National Anthem, one of his frontbenchers has now put out this tasteless comment.”
But defiant Ms Onwurah defended her comments.
She said: “I am surprised by the reaction, it’s taken the focus from issues which I think are announcing the Prince’s departure more important but I also said: “His Royal Highness the Duke think it’s very important we of Edinburgh has decided he will no support freedom of choice for longer carry out public engagements everyone. It certainly wasn’t from the autumn of this year. meant to cause any offence. I think it “Prince Philip will attend previously is sad more people are not offended scheduled engagements by the prospect of working-class between now and August, both individually women working into their 70s in and accompanying the poor health and without choice.” Queen. Asked if she would “Thereafter, the Duke will not be send the tweet again, accepting new invitations for visits she said: “It’s and engagements, though he may taken up a lot still choose to attend certain public of my time, events from time to time.” so probably The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, not.” President or a member of over 780 A statement organisations, with which he will continue to be associated.