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Tory MP Guto Bebb Tells Autistic Man ‘Not To Comment’ Because Of MH Issues

September 5, 2014

This is unbelievable. He should be named and shamed and should apologise publicly, if not resign.

 

A Tory MP told an autistic man not to comment on public affairs due to his mental health issues.

Insensitive Guto Bebb also dismissed Dylan Barlow’s Asperger’s syndrome as a “sob story” in a series of emails after his constituent raised questions on foreign matters.

The MP for Aberconwy, North Wales, wrote: “If you have mental health issues then you should possibly refrain from commenting in the public domain since it might create problems for you.”

Mr Barlow, 27, later said the MP was living “in the dark ages” and fumed: “We live in an age of free speech and for a politician to believe otherwise, goes to show the problems we face in our daily struggles.”

Mary Wimbury, Labour’s general election candidate for Aberconwy, said the Tory MP’s comments were inexcusable.

She said: “This lack of courtesy and respect towards constituents is clearly an inappropriate way for any MP to behave – he should think long and hard about his future behaviour.”

Mr Bebb denied his comments were derogatory.

He said: “If Dylan claims that some of his online comments should be understood in the context of his mental health issues then I think it was a generous piece of advice for him to think twice before he posts such comments.

“I do have a close family history of mental health issues and find the idea that I would be derogatory of such an illness highly offensive.”

6 Comments leave one →
  1. nearlydead's avatar
    September 5, 2014 10:33 am

    Reblogged this on nearlydead.

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  2. PJB's avatar
    philipburdekin permalink
    September 5, 2014 11:39 am

    Would these evil BSTARDS treat their own families if they had mental health problems or would they like to be treated like shit if they themselves had mental health problems?

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  3. Peejay's avatar
    Peejay permalink
    September 5, 2014 5:26 pm

    Here is the email I sent today

    Dear Mr Bebb
    I would like to thank you for sharing your honest opinions about certain people suffering from mental illnesses being more sotto voce when sharing their opinions about public issues.
    You have confirmed to myself and other people with Aspergers nationwide that you are patently an absolute cock who should himself neither be in any kind of public office nor be allowed to speak out on public issues. Nice to know that traditional Tory values are still going strong.
    This is so shameful its funny …you absolute arse. You will be cringing about this one for years.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Peejay's avatar
    Peejay permalink
    September 5, 2014 5:28 pm

    p.s. here is his email address:

    guto.bebb.mp@parliament.uk

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  5. lawrencerowntree's avatar
    September 5, 2014 7:01 pm

    Reblogged this on lawrencerowntree.

    Like

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