Shadow Health Minister Diane Abbott has apologised for comments she made on Twitter, amid claims they were racist. She said she had not meant to generalise when she wrote: ''White people love playing 'divide & rule'". It was a response to criticism of media use of "black community leaders" after the Stephen Lawrence murder trial. One Tory MP called for her to be sacked. Labour's Chuka Umunna said party leader Ed Miliband had told Ms Abbott her remarks were "unacceptable". In a statement, Ms Abbott said: "I apologise for any offence caused." "I understand people have interpreted my comments as making generalisations about white people," she said. "I do not believe in doing that." 'Out of context' Ms Abbott, the first black woman to be elected as an MP, had earlier tweeted that her remark had been "taken out of context". Shadow Business Secretary Mr Umunna told the BBC: "Ed Miliband has spoken to her this morning and made it very clear in no uncertain terms that the contents of the tweet were unacceptable. "If Diane believed the words as they were expressed and she had not apologised then Ed Miliband would obviously have taken the requisite action. "For us as politicians, Twitter is a very useful tool to communicate with people, but it has its perils." In a statement, the Labour Party said: "We disagree with Diane's tweet. "It is wrong to make sweeping generalisations about any race, creed, or culture. "The Labour Party has always campaigned against such behaviour - and so has Diane Abbott." The original remark from Ms Abbott was a reaction to a conversation on Twitter about media coverage in the wake of the Stephen Lawrence murder trial to a woman who complained about the use of "black community leaders" in the media. 'Freedom of speech' The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP, who stood for Labour leader in the 2010 contest, remarked: "White people love playing 'divide & rule'. We should not play their game" followed by "#tacticasoldascolonialism" - a way Twitter users flag up keywords and topics. She added: "Ethnic communities that show more public solidarity & unity than black people do much better". The comments sparked much criticism from other Twitter users and she updated her page later to say: "Tweet taken out of context. Refers to nature of 19th Century European colonialism. Bit much to get into 140 characters." But Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi told BBC Radio 5live her comments were "intolerable". "This is racism," he said. "If this was a white member of Parliament saying that all black people want to do bad things to us he would have resigned within the hour or be sacked. "For a shadow minister to hold these sort of views is intolerable, it is wrong, she needs to go." However another Conservative MP, Robert Halfon disagreed. He tweeted: "The right should know better than to get all PC re @HackneyAbbott - disagree strongly, but let voters decide. Freedom of speech & all that." Deputy Minister Nick Clegg said Ms Abbott's comments on twitter were a "stupid and crass generalisation" and that she should apologise and explain her remarks.
Its on the BBC, basically she tweeted that "white people love playing divide and rule". If she'd said that on a football pitch I can only imagine the hell the FA would have unleashed.
Thanks for that St Dodgy stuff. I'm a socialist but I never could stand that woman and that's got jack to do with the colour of her skin.
Basically she should be punished for this yes. As quoted above if it had been the other way round they would have been hounded out. Having said that, notice the apology
On another note, I also think Jones should be charged with match fixing! or is he just that bad naturally?
1. she didn't say it in the house ergo the house cannot apply parlimentary rules to her. (suarez must abide by the game rules on the pitch) 2. no evidence exists of aggravation here.. so 8 weeks is harsh... 4 at most. 3. being banned form prime ministers question time would seem to me to be a prize not a punishment so in fact i think they'll all be at it if that precedence is set!
http://m.mirror.co.uk/article?a=m4:23677761 I find this one more relevant to recent issues. No action taken whatsoever by the FA. Not surprised though. Abbott has been known for years to be slightly bitter and not the first time she's made comments that could be classed as reverse racism or as it should be classed just plain racism.
1. She said it on twitter which is basically global so it should apply to the house 2. Aggravating factor current racial tensions surrounding a recent murder trial 3. I agree with you about it being a reward not to be at PMQ's Taking this into account I have reviewed my punishment to 8 weeks strapped to a chair infront of a tv with PMQ's on a loop
FA hound out racism on the pitch, but its fine behind the desks in FA offices. Clearly they can't police themselves, why should they be trusted to police the game. Like I say, Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who polices the FA?
We have just the device to help her out with her comfort in watching said loop tape... please log in to view this image
What I am loving is the fact that all the nice liberals/media luvvies are queuing up to state mitigating factors: that she 'meant' something else, "taken out of context" and my personal favorite on five live "we shouldn't hound a public figure with reverse McCarthyism just because someone makes a public mistake" this sound familiar......?
Can't wait for Jason Roberts to wade into the debate and give us his opinion on what Diane should do...
I reckon that 8 weeks will be enough for her to be reaching for a bucket every time she sees David Cameron, let alone when he starts to speak... ...mind you, I expect he has that effect already on some...
lets just put her in an episode of law and order or something and make her look like and anrgy african amaerican who murdered someone like the reruns i've been watching of that show... my god but 20 years of it and there had to be at least 5 shows a season dealing with racial issues in NY... the cops were never racists though... just like the Fa... no it was always the angry guy who did the crime < laugh >
How can she claim that it's taken out of context and is a reference to the past? She's talking about something in the present. I hate to agree with a Tory, but he's spot on with this: "This is racism," he said. "If this was a white member of Parliament saying that all black people want to do bad things to us he would have resigned within the hour or be sacked. "For a shadow minister to hold these sort of views is intolerable, it is wrong, she needs to go." I don't give a crap if she's apologised. It's irrelevant. Sack her.
