Sexism storm after Tory MP puts crude f ilm on WhatsApp
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A TORY MP has sparked a sexism row after posting a raunchy film clip on a private WhatsApp group used by Cabinet Ministers i ncl uding Boris Johnson and Michael Gove.
The video shows provocative close-ups of the woman’s breasts, cleavage and bottom as a young man tries to impress her with a flashy sports car.
But the film, posted on a Tory WhatsApp group by outspoken Right-wing MP Andrew Bridgen – allegedly by a ‘ fat finger’ computer keyboard blunder – has prompted a huge backlash. Male and female Ministers and MPs queued up to condemn him.
Energy Minister Claire Perry said posting the film was ‘ completely inappropriate’ and complained that her 16- year- old son had also seen i t, having been with her when she checked her WhatsApp messages.
Defiant Mr Bridgen said he had posted the film ‘accidentally’, but maintained it was ‘ very funny’ and accused Ms Perry of ‘amazing hypocrisy’ by protesting after showing it to her son.
Ms Perry said she had been ‘cuddling him on the sofa after his GCSEs’ and told Mr Bridgen: ‘Corral your anger and don’t lash out when you have made an error.’ She added: ‘ “Sorry team, I made a mistake” would prob work wonders.’ Chelmsford Tory MP Vicky Ford said Mr Bridgen needed to ‘massively rethink’ his behaviour. Business
‘Don’t lash out when you’ve made an error’
Minister Andrew Griffiths also challenged Mr Bridgen. And one MP said: ‘When I saw the photo on my phone I thought it was soft porn.’
In fact the film is intended to poke fun at the man who is trying to impress the woman. When she approaches the sports car, he is leaning against, pretending to own it. She tells him to get out of the way because it is hers and zooms off, leaving him looking daft.
A male MP, who declined to be named, offered sympathy to Mr Bridgen. ‘ The film is about as shocking as a Carry On movie. But in the #MeToo age, you have to be careful. To make a big fuss is politically correct nonsense. But as an MP, Andrew should know better.’
Another MP echoed the ‘hypocrisy’ charge against Ms Perry, pointing out that in 2011, she was overheard complaining in the Commons tea room: ‘What do I have to do to be called to speak [in the Chamber] – give the Speaker a b*** j**?’
Last night, Mr Bridgen said: ‘I accidentally posted this video on a private WhatsApp group and it is deplorable that some colleague has felt fit to leak it. I can only condemn the way some of my fellow Tory MPs have seen fit to indulge in the usual virtue signalling, politically correct nonsense, making all sorts of ridiculous comments.
‘This is an amusing clip which shows an attractive lady making a sexist young man look very stupid. The idea that it is inappropriate is utter rubbish.’