Tory MP suspended over racist comment
● Anger after prospect of leaving the European Union without a Brexit deal is described as ‘the real n ***** in the woodpile’
A Conservative MP has been suspended from the party after it emerged that she used a racist expression in a public discussion.
Anne Marie Morris, the MP for Newton Abbott, was heard to use the phrase during a conference hosted by a think tank to discuss the effects of Brexit on the financial services industry.
She later apologised for using the N-word saying it was “totally unintentional”, but Prime Minister Theresa May said she was “shocked” by the “completely unacceptable” language. She said: “Language like this has absolutely no place in politics or in today’s society.”
A Conservative MP who used a racist term during a public meeting has had the party whip withdrawn at the Prime Minister’s request. Anne Marie Morris described the prospect of leaving the European Union without a Brexit deal as “the real n ***** in the woodpile”, prompting her suspension from the parliamentary Conservative Party.
Theresa May described the comment as “completely unacceptable”. Ms Morris was under pressure to consider her position after her comment caused outrage when a recording came to light.
As well as the embarrassment of having to deal with a race row, the incident could make life even more difficult for a minority government that needs every vote to avoid defeat in the Commons. The Prime Minister is already reliant on a deal with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionists to prop up her government after seeing her majority wiped out in last month’s general election.
A rebellion by just seven Conservative MPS is enough to consign the government to defeat.
Ms morris made there marks during a meeting of Eurosceptics at the East India Club in St James Square in central London, which was organised by the Politeia group. In an audio clip released by the Huffington Post, she is heard saying: “And then we get to the real n ***** in the woodpile which is in two years what happens if there is no deal?”
She is reported to have made the remark while discussing the impact of Brexit on UK financial services. Two other Conservative MPS, Bill Cash and John Redwood, are claimed to have been present when the comment was made.
In a statement confirming Ms Morris’s suspension, Mrs May said: “I was shocked to hear of these remarks, which are completely unacceptable. I immediately asked the chief whip to suspend the party whip. Language like this has absolutely no place in politics or in today’s society.”
It is not clear how longer the suspension will last.
Ms Morris had issued a brief apology before her suspension was confirmed. The MP for Newton Abbot said her comment was “entirely unintentional”, adding: “I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused.”
The Prime Minister was also confronted over the incident in the Commons, with Labour’s Kevin Brennan asking Mrs May whether she thought “racist and discriminatory language” should be greeted with “decisive and swift action”.
The Prime Minister replied that “it is beholden on us all to ensure that we use appropriate language at all times”.
Labour’s national campaign co-ordinator, Andrew Gwynne, said Ms Morris’s comments were “outrageous and totally unacceptable”.
“While the Conservative Party has tabled a debate on Wednesday to apparently discuss and condemn abuse of candidates in the general election, these comments prove their hypocrisy,” he said.
SNP MP Deidre Brock said: “The use of this language is shocking and there should be absolutely no complacency.”
Ms Brock called the Conservative MP’S apology “half-hearted” and said Ms Morris “should consider her position as an MP”.
Outgoing Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “This disgusting comment belongs in the era of the Jim Crow laws and has no place in our Parliament.
“I am utterly shocked that this person represents the good people of Newton Abbot. Even if she misspoke this is the nastiest thing I’ve heard an MP utter since Lord Dixon Smith uttered the same awful phrase a few years ago.”
Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas tweeted: “Appalling,” adding: “No place in our politics for racism, full stop.”
Conservative parliamentarians have got into trouble before over the phrase, which originates in slavery-era America. David Cameron resisted calls to sack front bench peer Lord Dixon-smith in 2008 after he used the same words in the House of Lords.
During the general election, Ms Morris distanced herself from comments made by her partner and electoral agent after he was accused of racism.