Member News
By Ned Simons - 7th February 2011
I was amused that the Labour party didn't know whether to barrack me or not, in case it looked rude
Paul Maynard MP
Disability charity Scope has said the reports that Labour MPs mocked an MP with cerebral palsy are "disappointing".
Richard Hawkes, Scope's chief executive, said the behaviour of Labour MPs who have been accused of making fun of Conservative MP Paul Maynard, who suffers from cerebral palsy, showed there was still a long way to go before the barriers that stood in the way of disabled people were broken down.
"Paul Maynard's election to Parliament is a positive step forward in combating the under-representation of disabled people in public life," he said.
"Disabled people have a big role to play in enriching our political debate, but they experience a wide range of barriers that prevent them from getting involved, including negative attitudes and assumptions about their capabilities and the inaccessibility of buildings, processes and information.
"We are delighted that the Coalition Government has supported Scope's call for more support to help disabled people into public life. But the disappointing behaviour of some MPs in the House of Commons itself shows there is still a lot of work to be done."
Maynard revealed he had been subject to abuse while speaking in the chamber in an interview with the Times over the weekend.
He said some Labour MPs were "pulling faces" at him, apparently attempting to mimic his disability.
He told the Times: "Only they know for certain whether they were taking the mick out of my disability. But it felt like it."
In an interview with ePoilitix.com the day before the alleged incident took place, the newly elected Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP said Labour MPs were not sure how to react to his disability.
"I was amused that the Labour party didn't know whether to barrack me or not, in case it looked rude," he told this website.
"I encourage them to do. I don't care – say what you like. You need a thick skin for this job."
On Sunday Trevor Phillips, the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said the allegations made him feel "physically sick".
He told the told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "That to me is shocking. I felt physically sick when I read about it. If that had happened in a football ground, the people doing the mocking him would have been on CCTV and they would have whipped out of the ground and not let back," he said.
Phillips added: "That's one for the Speaker to look at as part of his drive to increase diversity."
Several Labour MPs have insisted their colleagues would not have deliberately made fun of someone for having a disability.
Tom Harris told BBC Radio 5 Live today: "There is not a single member of the House of Commons or any party who would deliberately attack or criticise or mock anyone for a disability."
Article Comments
So the coalition is going to integrate disabled people in the workplace are they ? I suggest they start with a PMs statement about the disgraceful and heart breaking behaviour of Labour MPs.
Trevor Phillips felt physically sick. So did I. Then I felt intense anger. Is the House full of people who behave like this mocking and frankly taking the p*** out of a disabled person whose lone brain capacity would more than equal the whole brain capacity of the entire House?
Milliband for Prime Minister? I don't think so when he allows this behaviour from his own weak stupid party. I was once an avid Labour supporter but I am afraid that this has finished me with them for good.
Gerald Phillips
8th Feb 2011 at 4:14 pm
Having had a long conversation with Paul, I found his disability fell into to the background and was not an issue that affected what he was saying. These MP's should grow up and teach what they preach.
Bill Rogers -Blackpool North
7th Feb 2011 at 5:30 pm
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.