Nus Ghani pours water from a tea pot to fellow 1922 Committee members
(Picture: William Wragg Twitter)Call it a storm in a teacup, but the 1922 Committee has found itself in hot (or possibly cold) water over a photo of its leadership enjoying a cuppa.
The Conservative Party’s parliamentary group was accused of being ‘demeaning’ after sharing a picture of committee vice chairman Nus Ghani - the only woman in the photo - serving the rest of the group.
Tory MP William Wragg released the picture on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon to tease the result of the penultimate round of the party’s leadership contest, in which Penny Mordauntbecame the latest to be eliminated.
“Results to be announced at tea time,” Mr Wragg wrote, alongside the picture of the apparent tea party - where he is pictured to Ms Ghani’s left.
If a joke was intended, many found the image was no laughing matter.
“Why is Nus Ghani pouring tea for the rest of the 1922 Committee?” Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry wrote on Twitter.
Nick Gill wrote in response to Mr Wragg: “There are five men and one woman in this picture and the woman is the one pouring the tea. That is not a good look Will.”
“The best look... Nus Ghani pouring tea for a bunch of antiquated old farts,” said another.
Writer and women’s rights activist Jamie Klingler wrote in response to Ms Ghani: “I don’t understand why you are pouring the tea for the men. It’s just so demeaning.”
She added on her own feed: “No, not having this pouring tea and curtsying bullsh*t.”
Others appeared more insulted by the contents of the teapot which, at a closer inspection, appeared to not be tea - but instead be a clear liquid which Ms Thornberry joked could be gin.
Ms Ghani became, in 2018, the first female Islamic minister to speak from the despatch box.
She defended the image on Twitter, writing in response to Labour MP Chris Bryant, “The ‘only woman’ chose to pour, Labour MPs never have a sense of humour...Have a super summer mate.”
Adressing Emily Thornberry she wrote: “Gosh, imagine if I was holding an England flag. 1922 next photo opp sorted!”
Mr Wragg has also been approached for comment.
