Labour MP faces probe over ‘claims of abuse’

LABOUR has started an investigation into the “comments and behaviour” of disgraced MP Jared O’Mara, after he reportedly verbally abused a constituent.

On Monday, Mr O’Mara had to apologise after homophobic and misogynistic remarks he made online in 2002 and 2004 came to light, leading him to resign from the Commons Women and Equalities Committee.

And yesterday he had to “categorically” deny allegations that he used offensive language towards a constituent in his Sheffield Hallam seat in March this year. He won the seat in June, ousting Nick Clegg.

Local resident Sophie Evans told BBC Two’s Daily Politics yesterday that the MP called her an “ugly bitch” three months before he was elected. She added that some of the comments made by him “aren’t broadcastable”.

“There were some transphobic slurs in there, but he called me an ugly bitch,” she said.

“I just thought, ‘Wow! He’s not a very nice man’. I knew he was involved in politics but I had no idea at the time he was running for MP for Sheffield Hallam – which is my constituency.”

She dismissed Mr O’Mara’s claims that he had changed his ways since his online posts, saying: “He won’t even acknowledge something that happened seven months ago.”

Labour confirmed that it was investigating the more recent claims of abuse.