Labour peer Lord George Foulkes has been criticised after appearing on TalkTV where he declined to condemn fellow Labour politicians for their past comments about the late Ann Widdecombe. The former MP was tragically murdered last week.
Foulkes pressed on Labour's history of insults
During the interview with presenter Duncan Barkes on Wednesday, Lord Foulkes was asked whether it was acceptable for Labour figures, including Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, to have described Widdecombe as a 'poisonous bigot'. The peer initially claimed he did not recall the remark and said he would not have used such language.
Barkes then brought up comments made by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who had said, 'If only science had a cure for Ann Widdecombe'. When asked if that was acceptable, Lord Foulkes again refused to directly condemn the remark.
Frustration grows as peer dodges questions
'Why don't you have a view?' Barkes challenged after Lord Foulkes repeatedly avoided giving a clear opinion. The Labour peer responded by suggesting Barkes should look online at insults directed at himself, but the presenter dismissed that, steering the conversation back to the late MP.
'I'm trying to get out of you, Lord Foulkes, whether or not you think that language has been acceptable in the past,' Barkes reiterated. Lord Foulkes stated, 'No, I wouldn't have used it,' but when pressed to condemn Streeting specifically, he said, 'I don't think it helps to condemn anyone.'
Lord Foulkes pays tribute to Widdecombe
Lord Foulkes clarified that he had liked Ann Widdecombe and noted that in the House of Lords on Tuesday, politicians from all sides paid 'great tribute' to her. Despite this, his refusal to condemn his party colleagues' past remarks led to a tense exchange on live television.
