Yahoo News Brexit news latest: MPs share outrage over 'disturbing and violent language' used against Theresa May
MPs have condemned “disturbing and violent language” used towards Theresa May branding it “unacceptable.”
It comes after a Conservative backbencher spoke to the Sunday Times about Mrs May's Brexit negotiations, saying: "The moment is coming when the knife gets heated, stuck in her front and twisted. She’ll be dead soon.”
Another senior brexiteer claimed "she should bring her noose" to the 1922 Committee.
MPs have taken to social media to condemn the language used with some calling for the identity of the backbencher to be revealed.
Tory MP Sarah Wollaston said: “Shame on the spineless cowards on my benches who hide behind anonymity to use such disturbing and violent language about their own colleague & PM Theresa May totally unacceptable.
"Have they learned nothing following the assassination of Jo Cox.”
And now we have at least one colleague who think it’s ok to talk in terms of assassinating our Party Leader. This is not healthy politics. I do say that we can get back together & move forward - but we will all need to make a huge collective effort to do so https://t.co/v0YHHhSveC
— Nicky Morgan MP (@NickyMorgan01) October 22, 2018
Labour MP Yvette Cooper wrote: “I don’t know who it is. Maybe we should all be told because it might stop him using such violent, dehumanising language against a woman again.
"Don’t care how much people disagree with PM, targeting her with talk of knives, killing & nooses is irresponsible and vile.”
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the comments normalised violence at a time when female MPs were facing increased hostility.
If I was told to "bring my own noose" to my next surgery, that I'd be "knived", or "assassinated", my staff would report it to the police.
I don't really see why comments made by snivelling cowards on the back benches towards the Prime Minister should be treated differently.— Paul Masterton MP (@PM4EastRen) October 22, 2018
A very small man, in every respect. Everyone in Parliament knows who it is. So do all the journalists in the lobby. My suggestion: stop reporting his appalling statements https://t.co/PaiKW4X6MZ
— Nick Boles MP (@NickBoles) October 21, 2018
This morning I’ve seen quotes from Tories to the effect that PM is ‘entering the killing zone’, faces ‘assassination’ and should take ‘her own noose’ to a meeting. Few disagree with her more than I do, but language like this debases politics. Get a grip, Tories.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 21, 2018
Brexiteer Mark Francois said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the language was "unacceptable" but that he would not tell Chief whip Julian Smith how to do his job.
He hit out at a "bunker mentality" in Downing Street, telling Today: "The problem is that there is a lot of frustration on the backbenches at the moment, both among Leavers and Remainers, at the general state of play.
"When you try to convey that to Number 10, no-one is listening."
Pro-Remain Tory Anna Soubry attacked him on Twitter afterwards, saying: "I am appalled that my colleague £MarkFrancoisMP failed unequivocally to condemn the disgraceful and dangerous language used by a fellow Conservative MP against the PM @BBCr4today he even tried to excuse it. Shameful."
The prime minister's official spokesman said: "I don't intend to dignify those specific, anonymous comments with a response.
"The PM has always been very clear that we must set a tone in public discourse that is neither dehumanising nor derogatory. Personal viterol has no place in our politics."
Mrs May is set to speak in the Commons later, insisting that the Brexit deal is 95 percent complete.
She is expected to say that the “shape of the deal across the vast majority” of the withdrawal agreement is now clear.
Mrs May will also tell MPs that “important progress” has been made on issues including security, transport and services.”
