LISTEN Paul Flynn: ‘Sensible’ women, not ‘butch males’, should lead Brexit talks
2 min read
It should be down to “sensible women”, rather than “butch macho males” like David Davis, to conduct the Brexit negotiations, according to a veteran Labour MP.
Former shadow cabinet minister Paul Flynn said the UK should send in those who would be “prepared to compromise” – apparently women – to thrash out a deal with Brussels.
The comments come after tensions heightened between EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and Brexit Secretary Mr Davis, as the former accused the UK of failing to make clear what it wants from the talks.
Mr Davis has previously gone to great lengths to contest accusations that the UK’s team is male-dominated.
Mr Flynn, though, said women should be given a greater role in the talks.
“I hate to be sexist but if you want to get a solution in a position like this you don’t send in butch macho males to do it,” Mr Flynn told Talk Radio this morning.
“You send in sensible women who are prepared to compromise. If that’s a sexist argument I’m a sexist.
“Women will search for solutions and men will do the sort of things that [negotiators are] both doing now, standing up and doing this macho posturing talking about how brilliant they are.”
Elsewhere in the interview, he attacked the Government’s position on Northern Ireland, saying it sounded like the border would be manned by “leprechauns”.
“Where’s the border going to be in Northern Ireland? We’ve got a border that’s no border, that’ll be manned by the leprechauns.
“It isn’t an explanation [from Brexit negotiators]. It isn’t a rational solution.”
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