Diane Abbott criticised over tweet about drowned migrants
iane Abbott has been criticised after saying migrants who drowned off Italy have “indeed f***** off” in a now-deleted tweet.
The impartial MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington tweeted “These migrants have indeed f***** off. To the bottom of the sea,” as she shared a news story in regards to the catastrophe within the Mediterranean.
The publish was a response to a remark made by Lee Anderson, the deputy chairman of the Conservative celebration, who earlier this week stated asylum seekers complaining about being moved on to an lodging barge ought to “f*** off back to France”.
Tory former minister Brendan Clarke-Smith tweeted: “And to think that Sir Keir Starmer campaigned for this person to be made our Home Secretary.
“We all know that you can’t take Labour seriously on immigration or national security, but what a shame they also seek to exploit tragedies like this to push their warped agenda.”
A Conservative spokesman informed the PA news company Ms Abbott’s tweet was “wrong”.
“The fact that she deleted it suggests she agrees with us,” they added.
Forty-one persons are believed to have died after a ship carrying migrants capsized off Tunisia in tough seas.
The steel boat carrying 45 individuals left Sfax, Tunisia on August 3, however the vessel was overturned by an enormous wave hours into the journey.
Survivors had been taken to the island of Lampedusa on Wednesday after a rescue operation.
Ms Abbott’s tweet was not the primary criticism she product of the Tory deputy chairman for his feedback.
Ms Abbott, who as soon as served as shadow residence secretary, had beforehand described Mr Anderson’s feedback as “a new low even for the Tories”.
But ministers have rallied round Ashfield MP Mr Anderson, with Justice Secretary Alex Chalk suggesting his “indignation” was “well-placed” after solely 15 migrants had initially entered the Bibby Stockholm lodging barge.
The switch of migrants on to the vessel has been mired in problem and delays amid security issues, native opposition and authorized challenges.
Ms Abbott had the Labour whip suspended in April for suggesting Jewish, Irish and traveller persons are not topic to racism “all their lives” in a letter to the Observer newspaper.