MP raises Maynard incident
By Tony Grew - 10th February 2011
Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland has asked for a debate on behaviour in the chamber after Tory MP Paul Maynard claimed he was mocked about his disability by Labour members.
Last week Maynard told The Times that during a debate in October on child trust funds, Labour members were "pulling faces at me, really exaggerated gesticulations, really exaggerated faces".
Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, has cerebral palsy.
At business questions, Mulholland said "the inference" is that Labour MPs think mimicry and face-pulling are acceptable in the chamber.
"It is not and let's stamp it out," he said.
Mulholland also said they would not have made such gestures if they were aware of Maynard's disability.
Commons leader Sir George Young said: "Members on all sides will condemn the way he was treated.
"I very much hope there will be no recurrence."
However, Labour MP Ian Murray then raised that exchange on a point of order.
He accused Mulholland of making "unsubstantiated claims" and asked if his comments were in order.
Mr Speaker said there was "nothing disorderly" in Mulholland's comments.
He added:
"I am aware of the matters referred to and I have made some public comment.
"It has also been the subject of private discussions, but I want to leave it at that."
Article Comments
Thank you so very much for continuing to update on the dreadful behaviour of some MPs in regard to the MP with Cerebral Palsy.
I contacted the BBC News about this and guess what, no response. epolitix.com must be the only decent news outlet.
Would you consider passing your news on to the BBC and ITV they are honour bound to report on it. If I hear nothing on either channel within a few days I shall consider registering a formal complaint against both channels. Please help. I feel so terribly angry about this behaviour.
Gerald Phillips
10th Feb 2011 at 6:32 pm
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