A Tory MP has apologised after telling a constituent to “get a life” when asking about statutory sick pay.
Pauline Latham, the MP for Mid Derbyshire, said she had been “in a state of distress” when she made the comment on Twitter on Saturday.
Latham claimed she thought the person asking her about whether £94 a week in statutory sick pay was a “keyboard warrior”.
Her original comment, which prompted more than 3,000 outraged responses, has not been deleted.
Here is the exchange:
Get a life
— Pauline Latham (@Pauline_Latham) March 14, 2020
On Tuesday, three days after the offending post, Latham posted this apology:
At this time of stress, I received a Tweet from what I perceived to be a keyboard warrior and it pushed me over the edge. I am very sorry I reacted so hastily. 2/2
— Pauline Latham (@Pauline_Latham) March 17, 2020
However, Latham had earlier posted another tweet appearing to stand by her “keyboard warrior” claim.
My response was purely towards keyboard warriors who so often attack but don't respond with anything. I am entirely sympathetic towards those in receipt of statutory sick pay, particularly in this stressful time.
— Pauline Latham (@Pauline_Latham) March 17, 2020
Latham has represented the Mid Derbyshire seat since its creation in 2010.