Yahoo News Tory MP says sorry after accidentally sending email to constituent with ‘insert if there’s been a bereavement’ note
A Conservative MP has apologised for sending out a condolence email to a constituent with the note “insert if there has been a bereavement”.
Anthony Mangnall, MP for Totnes, accidentally sent the message in response to emails he received about Boris Johnson aide Dominic Cummings’ controversial lockdown trip to Durham.
An extract shared on Twitter showed the third paragraph of his response read: “[Insert if there has been a bereavement: May I add my condolences to the recent loss of your family member.
“The current situation has made the ability to mourn the passing of loved ones all the more difficult. I send my best wishes to you and your family.]”
Mangnall has said he is “incredibly sorry” for the error, adding the additional lines were in one response to hundreds of emails he received about Cummings in recent days.
He tweeted: “In an effort to respond to those emails, I wrote in my own words my thoughts on the situation.
“That response contained some ‘insert lines’ that allowed me to respond to specific issues and concerns raised.
“I stupidly sent out one of those emails without having removed the additional lines.
“This has caused a great deal of offence and I am incredibly sorry.”
Over the last few days we have received hundreds of emails regarding Dominic Cummings. In an effort to respond to those emails, I wrote in my own words my thoughts on the situation.
— Anthony Mangnall MP (@AnthonyMangnal1) May 30, 2020
That response contained some 'insert lines' that allowed me to respond to specific issues and concerns raised. I stupidly sent out one of those emails without having removed the additional lines.
This has caused a great deal of offence and I am incredibly sorry.— Anthony Mangnall MP (@AnthonyMangnal1) May 30, 2020
Mangnall, who was elected last year, has said he “shares many of the concerns” of his constituents regarding Cummings’ stay in Durham and would not have taken the same “course of action” himself, but he did not call for his resignation.
Cummings travelled with his wife, who was suffering from suspected coronavirus, and his son 260 miles from London to Durham in late March due to childcare concerns.
Mangnall wrote in a statement on Facebook: “The anger and dissatisfaction at Mr Cumming’s behaviour is no surprise at all.”
“Spending time defending an adviser is not a good use of time, especially given the many fears and concerns about people’s future and their livelihoods.”
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