Leicester MP Keith Vaz is accused of 'sexism'
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz has been accused of sexism after suggesting Cabinet minister Theresa May was "looking a bit thin".
Mr Vaz made the controversial comment in a post on Twitter, which he has since deleted.
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Keith Vaz MP
He wrote: "A bit worried about Home Secretary she is looking a bit thin these days. A new diet or pressure of work?"
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's PM programme, Tory MP Caroline Nokes, who chairs the all-party group on body image condemned the remark as "silly" and "patronising".
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She said: "I thought it was a rather silly and thoughtless remark from Keith.
"I know Keith, he is not by nature unpleasant, but I think this remark came across as rather patronising.
"If we were talking about a male home secretary who had lost a bit of weight, I am sure no member of parliament would comment."
Ms Nokes, said she had "borne the brunt" of jibes about her own weight.
She said: "My weight goes up and down and people will freely comment either I am looking a bit chubby or 'haven't you done well, you have lost a bit of weight'.
"I think it is a harsh reality that is dished out all too frequently to women MPs.
"I think it was sexist because the insinuation of the remark that Keith very unfortunately put on Twitter was about a woman who, he has suggested through his comments, is losing weight through the pressure of work. I think it is very sad that he chose to do so."
Mr Vaz did not respond to a Mercury request for comment.
19 Comments
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by anobserver
Saturday, February 16 2013, 2:24PM
“Why is Vaz not on the waste of money committee?
There does not appear to be one Asian or Yemini ethnic name.Surely an opening for Nigel to comment on.
But he did look entertaining at The Stirrup Cup this week.As did Potter.”
by truthtooth
Saturday, February 16 2013, 9:11AM
“politics is about slurs . itll never be about policies . pathetic winge about nothing . when our future queen looked a tad thin the papers and country jumped on it . when someone is thinner than usual we all comment . no difference for mr vaz . i dont like him but this is tosh .”
by maxmax16
Saturday, February 16 2013, 9:11AM
“mr vaz is only interested in mr vaz. however in this case anybody offended by his comments need to get out more.”
by ddb223
Friday, February 15 2013, 6:45PM
“Time to stand down Mr Vaz! The last thing anyone needs is another gate. Step down now before 'thingate' or 'maygate' begin!”
by karinfall1955
Friday, February 15 2013, 6:41PM
“Sorry to differ with critics but 'have you lost weight' or 'you are looking a bit thin' are possibly the most beautiful words in the language to many women. This is NOT sexist, this is an observation but then there are people simply waiting to be offended. As for sexism poor old Eric Pickles' weight is constantly remarked upon and he just takes it!!”
by llamalamb
Friday, February 15 2013, 5:42PM
“Sounds fatist to me rather than sexist. Women don't have a monopoly on being fat or thin.”
by dcrane
Friday, February 15 2013, 3:56PM
“Mr Vaz always looks a bit 'thick' to me but I'm sure I'm not being sexist am I?”
by IncredibleD
Friday, February 15 2013, 1:46PM
“So the comment was sexist and there is actually a group on body image...of which nearly 66% of the group are women and 75% of the officers are women...
..no equality these day, men can be image conscious too. Surely there should be more men than women, fail respresentation and all that...more male MPs than female afterall :)”
by DBLeicester
Friday, February 15 2013, 1:13PM
“Interesting to see someone is 'almost' imposing as myself below...
Who are you DBLeicester1 - come on - reveal yourself!”
by 4_Stroke
Friday, February 15 2013, 12:49PM
“"@ LikeItaLot: "Is there really such a group"
they even have a web site....
http://tinyurl.com/d5zyesc
Officers
•Caroline Nokes MP (Cons)
•Mary Glindon MP (Lab)
•Stephen Williams (LD)
•Caroline Dinenage MP (Cons)
Members
•Natasha Engel MP (Lab)
•Jon Cruddas (Lab)
•Helen Goodman MP (Lab)
•Kate Green MP (Lab)
•Bob Russell MP (LD)
•Kate Hoey MP (Lab)
•Ian Liddell Grainger MP (Cons)
•Kelvin Hopkins MP (Lab)
•Caroline Dinenage MP (Con)
•Sharon Hodgson MP (Lab)
•Don Foster MP (Lib Dem)
•Karl McCartney MP (Con)
•Alison Seabeck MP (Lab)
•Angie Bray MP (Con)
•Nadine Dorries MP (Con)
•Karen Lumley MP (Con)
•Claire Perry MP
•Stephen Gilbert MP
•Gary Streeter MP”