Menu
Tue, 19 March 2024

Newsletter sign-up

Subscribe now
The House Live All
Inspiring Inclusion: Delivering on our vision that ‘Everyone is Welcome’ Partner content
Communities
Communities
Environment
Communities
Communities
Press releases

Labour MP Emma Dent Coad apologises to ex-Tory candidate over 'ghetto boy' remark

2 min read

A Labour MP has apologised for describing a black Conservative election candidate as a "token ghetto boy".


Emma Dent Coad used the term in a blog post she wrote in 2010 about Shaun Bailey, who was seen as a rising star under David Cameron's leadership.

The Kensington MP wrote: "It must be said that his constant stigmatisation of the area he was born in as a 'ghetto' has not exactly endeared him to his former neighbours, one of whom calls him 'a free-loading scumbag', another 'the most hated man in North Kensington'.”

She added: “One day he is the 'token ghetto boy' standing behind D Cameron, the next 'looking interested' beside G Osborne. Ever felt used?"

Mr Bailey described her article as "hate-filled and racist", while Tory MP James Cleverly took to Twitter to voice his anger.

 

 

Appearing on BBC Radio London this morning, Ms Dent Coad said she had been quoting "an Afro-Carribean" constituent in her blog. But she added: "If [Mr Bailey] is offended, I apologise."

Last night a spokesperson for Ms Dent Coad said: "It is clear from the original blog that Emma was quoting what Bailey himself had said about his neighbourhood, together with comments from Tory colleagues on the Council."

Ms Dent Coad recently courted controversy for her controversial claim that Prince Harry cannot drive a helicopter and "just sits there going 'vroom vroom'".

PoliticsHome Newsletters

PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe

Categories

Communities
Partner content
Connecting Communities

Connecting Communities is an initiative aimed at empowering and strengthening community ties across the UK. Launched in partnership with The National Lottery, it aims to promote dialogue and support Parliamentarians working to nurture a more connected society.

Find out more