Labour accused of misogyny problem
THE Labour Party was last night accused of having a misogyny problem after the former shadow business secretary admitted using “offensive and unacceptable” language.
Clive Lewis was forced to apologise after telling an audience member to get “on your knees, b----” at a party conference fringe event.
Several prominent female MPS criticised Mr Lewis, describing the comment as appalling and inexcusable.
Justine Greening, the Education Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, wrote to Jeremy Corbyn demanding that he “step forward and condemn the sexist language of Clive Lewis, and the unacceptable attitudes that lie behind it.”
She demanded that he set out how he planned “to tackle misogyny in the Labour Party”, and added: “The recent use of language by Clive Lewis MP was totally and utterly unacceptable in the world of the ‘kinder, gentler politics’ you claim to support.
She added that 45 female Labour MPS had accused Mr Corbyn of failing to stop abuse of women and that John Mcdonnell, the shadow chancellor, had said Tory MP Esther Mcvey should be “lynched” and called her a “b----”.
“As Members of Parliament we should be setting an example to the country and this sexist, misogynistic language needs to be stamped out, and that starts with you calling it out,” she wrote.
Mr Lewis apologised “unreservedly” for his language after a video of last month’s Momentum event in Brighton surfaced yesterday.
The MP was talking to actor Sam Swann, who later described the situation as “jovial”.
But the comment attracted widespread condemnation from MPS on all sides. Harriet Harman, the former deputy Labour Party leader tweeted: “Inexplicable. Inexcusable. Dismayed”, while Labour MP Stella Creasy posted: “It’s not OK. Even if meant as joke, reinthe forces menace that men have the physical power to force compliance.”
Jess Phillips, chairman of the women’s parliamentary Labour Party, said: “Just seen the Clive Lewis video. Obviously I am appalled, just listened to seven teenage girls speak up about gender inequality. Perhaps I’ll bring them to work on Monday.”
Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “This is entirely extraordinary language on the part of an elected politician. Clive Lewis’s words are highly derogatory, offensive and completely inexcusable, and we, and women in Mr Lewis’ constituency, have every right to expect our MPS to behave in a more professional manner.
“We need to see firm, robust and prompt action on the part of the Labour Party to make clear that there is no place for misogyny in the party.”
It comes as Labour Party members launched an investigation into sexual harassment and assault, asking female activists and members to share their experiences anonymously. The Labour Too campaign urges Labour women to complain about male party members who have harassed them.
A party spokesman said: “The Labour Party condemn the language used by Clive Lewis. It was completely unacceptable and falls far short of the standard we expect of Labour MPS.”
She said Labour Too was not an official Labour Party website, adding: “The party takes all complaints of sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination extremely seriously.”
Mr Lewis, who has previously been spoken of as a future Labour leader, quit the front bench earlier this year when he rebelled against Mr Corbyn and voted against triggering Brexit negotiations.