BBC radio DJ Liz Kershaw has sparked fury online after taking aim at Andy Burnham's wife Marie-France van Heel. The new Labour prime minister was pictured with Marie-France on the steps of 10 Downing Street shortly after taking over from Keir Starmer, with Burnham wearing a black suit and his wife in a blue dress.
Kershaw's tweet draws criticism
Her appearance soon sparked comments, including one from Kershaw, who tweeted: “Apparently this dress is by Victoria Beckham. Bit nasty of her to let Mrs Burnham pay 900 quid for something in Crimplene that doesn’t fit her. Sisterhood eh?”
Her “cruel” comments immediately sparked fury with other social media users, with TV presenter Richard Bacon writing on X: “Where does all this bitterness come from? I’m sure I could be empathetic towards it. But without understanding the context, it is hard to know why you’re choosing to come across so badly.”
Public backlash
Another furious fan posted: “What a nasty vile woman you are, all whilst using the word 'sisterhood'. She's looks great, especially considering she's carried and given birth to 3 children.”
Somebody else said: “She has undergone a double mastectomy after losing her sister to breast cancer. A woman's worth is not measured by the fit of her dress, the shape of her body, or whether strangers on social media approve of her appearance. Do better.”
A fourth social media user said: “What an awful thing to say. You are a disgrace.” While another posted: "This is so horribly sexist. Leave her alone."
Previous controversy
It is not the first time Kershaw has come under fire – earlier this year she took aim at Princess Kate as she stepped out in a floor-length green gown at Windsor Castle. Kershaw tweeted: “Why the hell is the future queen dressed like this tonight at Windsor Castle? In England? In the 21st century?”
