I’m sorry for slur on Leavers’ children
A THERAPIST at Great Ormond Street Hospital apologised last night after suggesting she wanted Leave voters’ children to get sick.
Remain activist Nicola Gorb argued on BBC Question Time on Thursday that Brexit would halt research at the hospital. The mother of one, 47, said: ‘If funding is cut, there is going to be a huge decrease in research.’
She claimed 25 per cent of clinicians and researchers at GOSH are from ‘non-British EU countries’, adding: ‘I want people who are leaving to one day unfortunately have a child who needs that treatment but it’s not there because collaboration’s not been there.’ The remarks by the speech therapist provoked fury online. Philip Walter tweeted: ‘Has Nicola Gorb been fired yet? If not I’m cancelling my standing order [to the GOSH charity] … Disgusted.’ Alan Tompkins said: ‘No matter what your views on EU, to wish ill health on children is deplorable.’
But Ms Gorb claimed she was ‘misconstrued’, adding: ‘I deeply apologise. I have my own child, I work with children … I wouldn’t wish an unwell child on anyone.’ She said it was ‘hard to get your sentencing clear’ on the show.
A GOSH spokesman said: ‘We want to reassure all families we will do our very best … whatever political circumstances the country finds itself in.’ The Health and Care Professions Council told MailOnline it is considering if the remarks constitute a fitness to practice hearing.