Tory MP under pressure to quit over free school meals ‘mockery’ comment
A Tory MP has come under fire for posting a “mocking” message on social media directed at businesses offering free meals to poor and disadvantaged children during the half term holiday.
Selaine Saxby, who is MP for the North Devon constituency, reportedly posted the following comment on Facebook: “I am delighted our local businesses have bounced back so much after lockdown that they are able to give food away for free, and very much hope they will not be seeking any further government support [during the coronavirus-induced economic crisis]".
She has since reportedly deleted the offensive Facebook post.
Saxby’s comment on social media elicited an immediate outcry leading to the creation of a petition calling on her to quit her post as MP.
As of Monday evening (Ocotber26), more than 3,500 people have signed the petition.
Petition creator Paul Trueman made the following statement: "We all felt proud of every individual and business, big and small, who volunteered this week to help feed them [disadvantaged children].
"But when dozens of our local businesses, already hit hard by months of restrictions and closure, stepped up with offers to help feed hungry kids, we saw them mocked by our own MP here in North Devon, posting from her own Facebook account", Trueman added.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats spokesman in the North Devon constituency, Alex White, says that Saxby’s position has become “completely untenable”.
"In some parts of North Devon, one in three children live in poverty – her [Saxby’s] comments are an insult not only to inspirational local eateries, but to parents and children across this constituency."
Iran dismisses UK, Australia’s ‘baseless’ claims, urges end to interventions in West Asia
US, UK mull removing HTS militants in Syria from terror list
British occupation of Ireland must end
American warplane downed after Yemeni attacks 'baffled' US air defense: Ansarullah
VIDEO | Yemenis praise the military for its successful operations against Israel
VIDEO | Israel continues to bomb Gaza homes
VIDEO | An insider's view of the country: Meybod City in Yazd
‘All wars have rules. All of those rules have been broken’ by Israel
VIDEO | Report flags India’s violation of rights of Rohingya detainees
Turkey's foreign minister meets Syria's de facto leader in Damascus
VIDEO | US Syria plots
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
