Local MP Condemns Labour Defector's 'Funny Tinge' Comments

---

Rupa Huq says remark harks back to casual racism of the seventies

Angela Smith makes a gaffe on Politics Live

Rupa Huq has launched a blistering attack on one of the MPs who left the Labour party this week accusing her of making a racist comment during a television broadcast this Monday 18 February).

Angela Smith, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, one of seven who have formed the new Independent Group appeared to say on BBC’s Politics Live, "It's not just about being black or a funny tinge..." before hesitating and then adding "from the BAME community".

The MP for Ealing Central and Acton said that the comment harked back to the seventies adding, "For a party that's trying to project an image of being modern, and one of their rationales was being the anti-antisemitism party, this sort of casual racism that carelessly slips out is inexcusable."

Ms Smith has denied that she is in any way racist and explained later to Sky New’s Kay Burley that she had misspoke because she was tired after six hours of press engagements. She had been appearing on Politics Live to talk about the new group of seven MPS who have left the party after they said their concerns about Brexit and anti-Semitism were not being addressed by the current leadership.

Later she said in a video posted on her Twitter account: "I have seen the clip from Politics Live.

"I'm very sorry by any offence caused and I'm very upset that I misspoke so badly.

"It's not what I am. I am committed to fighting racism wherever I find it in our society."

Rupa Huq said on the issue of leaving the party, "For the avoidance of all doubt I will not be jumping ship in any way, shape or form. I was elected as a Labour MP and will remain one. I continue to be committed to fighting Brexit in all forms from my place within the second biggest group in Parliament. Using the same analogy as our place in the wider family of EU nations I feel even within a broad church (as all big political parties are or a union of 28 different nations will inevitably be) we are stronger together. As my late friend and colleague Jo Cox said we have so much more in common than that which divides us."

February 26, 2019