Conservative MP, who was caught giving the middle finger to a crowd in front of Downing Street on Thursday, has now admitted that she “should have shown more composure”But she said that she is “only human”.
Andrea Jenkyns was a Boris Johnson loyalist and was appointed education minister the next day. The gesture was performed on her way into Downing Street to hear Mr Johnson’s resignation speech.
After leaving the street, Ms Jenkyns walked home. The crowd was able to hear him tell it: “Those who laugh last, laugh loudest. Wait and see.”
Video footage of Morley & Outwood MP flipping a bird quickly became viral online. The leader of the House of Commons also posted the videos. BBC Breakfast he didn’t “seek to condone that at all”.
Mark Spencer said: “Andrea will have to … justify that for herself, but I do understand emotions were running pretty high and they were pretty raw on that day.
“But I don’t think that was the right thing to do at all.”
Sign upGet our weekly Indy100 newsletter for free
Ms Jenkyns’ justification eventually came on Saturday afternoon, when she Twitter: Shared a statementCommenting on the incident
She wrote: “A baying mob outside the gates [at Downing Street]It is unfortunately all too common for MPs to insult each other on the way in.
“After receiving huge amounts of abuse from some of the people who were there over the years, and I have also had seven death threats in the last four years. Two of these were in recent weeks. The police are investigating them. I had reached the end my tether. [sic].
“I responded and stood up for myself. This is why anyone should have to endure this kind of treatment.
“I should have shown more composure but am only human.”
It was not questioned by many Twitter users. ActuallyWe are sorry:
Some said it didn’t look exactly like a “baying mob”:
Others were concerned about the grammar and the fact she now holds a ministerial role in education.
This incident has also led to comparisons with John Prescott (former deputy prime minister), who punched a demonstrator in one of most notorious videos in British politics history.
Then, of course there’s always a tweet
We’ve got weeks – if not, months – more of this nonsense to come until the next leader is chosen, folks!
Participate in our news democracy. To vote for this article in the rankings, click on the upvote icon.