MP Lewis reopens sexism row after ‘liking’ tweets
CLIVE LEWIS has reopened a row over allegedly sexist comments he made at a Labour event after he “liked” tweets that called his words “harmless banter” and said his critics were expressing “faux outrage”.
The MP for Norwich South came under fire this week after a video surfaced online of him saying “Get on your knees, b----” at a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.
He was criticised by MPs from his own party, including Harriet Harman and Jess Phillips. Mr Lewis later apologised “unreservedly” on Twitter for the “offensive and unacceptable” language. But it has now emerged that he has since “liked” tweets that suggested that the behaviour was not an issue.
One called it “a load of nonsense”, while another said: “It’s crystal clear that you were making a jokey comment in the spirit of the event. Mountain was molehill!” Another follower com-
‘It’s crystal clear that you were making a jokey comment in the spirit of the event. Mountain was molehill!’
mented: “Don’t let hipocritical (sic) Tories get you down!”, while another said: “Total solidarity with you my man”.
Jeremy Corbyn condemned the remarks made by Mr Lewis as “completely unacceptable” and said the former shadow cabinet member had personally apologised to him.
The Labour leader told BBC Look East: “It’s a message to everybody: this kind of language is not acceptable in any circumstances at any time.”
Asked if the comments pointed to misogyny within the Labour party, he said: “It points to a bad remark he made in particular circumstances.”
The Sunday Telegraph has contacted