Cameron, Twitter and “retarded racists” of the BNP
Here’s a nice Twitterspat that has emerged between two Tory PPCs over David Cameron’s remarks on the BNP at Imperial College London yesterday.
Now I’m checking with CCHQ exactly what Cam did say, but novelist and wannabe MP Louise Bagshawe thinks he described the BNP as “retarded racists”. [UPDATE: It turns out Cameron did use the phrase in the Q&A not his speech]
She Tweeted:
David Cameron: the BNP “are retarded racists”. No fence sitting there!
However, another PPC Maria Hutchings – who famously confronted Tony Blair about the lack of facilities for her own son with special needs – didn’t see the funny side.
@LouiseBagshawe Sadly not a very positive message for learning disabled people.Particularly sad after Mark Harpers’ impassioned plea at PMQs
Bagshawe stood by her party leader, though, replying with this Tweet:
@MariaHutchings a beloved cousin has Down’s, so I see your point, but IMO “retarded” is accurately employed for BNP, not for the disabled
UPDATE: A spokeswoman for David Cameron says: “David has strongly held views on the BNP but he didn’t mean to cause any offence with these comments”.
Same Difference 