Conservative MPs are calling for Labour MP for Great Grimsby, Austin Mitchell, to stand down because of a tweet he sent referring to US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer as “rapists”.
He was tweeting as the prime minister and Labour leader debated the company’s proposed takeover of the UK’s AstraZeneca during PMQs today.
Here’s what he wrote:
Cameron dare not stop Pfizer because he dare not offend the US in any way.Roll up rapists
— Austin Mitchell (@AVMitchell2010) May 14, 2014
In April, Mitchell announced he’d be standing down at the 2015 general election, but there are now calls for the Labour Party to suspend the whip, due to his offending tweet.
Here’s what some Tories have been tweeting about the bizarre message:
@AVMitchell2010 – withdraw your tweet now about Pfizer & rapists – hope @Ed_Miliband suspends you from Labour Party for offensive words.
— Nicky Morgan MP (@NickyMorgan01) May 14, 2014
A disgusting and offensive tweet from Austin Mitchell @AVMitchell2010. What will you do @HarrietHarman? Rollup by election.
— Claire Perry (@claire4devizes) May 14, 2014
Thoroughly offensive tweet about rapists and USA from Labour MP @AVMitchell2010 . I call on @Ed_Miliband to withdraw the @UKLabour whip.
— Harriett Baldwin (@HBaldwinMP) May 14, 2014
Labour ladies, if that ‘rapists’ tweet had been posted by a Tory MP and not @AVMitchell2010 you would be after his scalp – action please.
— Nadine Dorries MP (@NadineDorriesMP) May 14, 2014
Breathtakingly insensitive choice of phrase by @AVMitchell2010 – ‘roll up’ his P60
— caroline dinenage mp (@cj_dinenage) May 14, 2014
Mitchell hasn’t explained his words yet, but one tweeter did question whether this was an “autocorrect fail”.
*** UPDATE ***
Mitchell has tweeted that he meant ‘rapaciousness’:
Naughty me.Substute rapaciousness before any more Physer defenders weigh in.
— Austin Mitchell (@AVMitchell2010) May 14, 2014
But his claim that he muddled his words came too late to stop a Twitter spat between Labour MP Stella Creasy and Tory MP Claire Perry:
@claire4devizes @Willowman66 @HarrietHarman its ok-I’m glad you’ve discovered feminism claire, even if just 4 political expediency…#sista
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) May 14, 2014
@Stellacreasy, Honey I was a feminist while you were in nappies. Now woman up and get your dinosaur colleague to apologise.
— Claire Perry (@claire4devizes) May 14, 2014
Ouch.
This mole thinks it’s a rapid rap over the knuckles for rapscallion Austin’s poor rapport…
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