Journalist Isabel Oakeshott has received backlash after posting a tweet saying police should focus on “investigating real crimes” in the wake of the Stanley Johnson allegations.
The right-wing commentator shared a picture with Johnson along with the message: “The charming Stanley Johnson can be a little over-friendly – indeed handsy – but I don’t believe this is one for the police. Officers should focus their limited resources on investigating real crimes.”
Oakeshott’s tweet follows allegations that Johnson inappropriately touched MP Caroline Nokes and journalist Ailbhe Rea.
In response, Stanley Johnson told The Sun newspaper: “I have no recollection of Caroline Nokes, and no idea what she was talking about.
“Had I been asked about the allegation made by the journalist of the New Statesman, I would have said the same thing.”
Replying to Oakshott’s tweet, Sky News political correspondent Kate McCann wrote that although Oakeshott may be “ok with someone being handsy”, other women would find that “uncomfortable”, especially if they are younger or less established.
McCann added: “Your tweet suggests they ought to just ignore it - it’s their problem if they’re offended, not his for being ‘over-friendly’. It diminishes them.”
You might be OK with someone being handsy but other women would find that uncomfortable esp if younger/less established (I would). Your tweet suggests they ought to just ignore it - it's their problem if they're offended, not his for being "over-friendly". It diminishes them.
— Kate McCann (@KateEMcCann) November 17, 2021
Several others also spoke out against Oakeshott’s tweet, including Labour MP Charlotte Nichols.
Being "handsy" is indeed a "real crime" and it's grim to see it minimised in this way. https://t.co/XVn87kQHvH
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) November 17, 2021
tw sexual assault, abuse
— Rachel Charlton-Dailey (@RachelCDailey) November 17, 2021
Every woman I know has been warned to stay away from a "handsy" or "over-friendly" man. We've also warned other women to stay away from them because we know that if/ when our claims are voiced they aren't taken seriously because of opinions like this https://t.co/pXIAJkIUVi
Deplorable comment, crimes are crimes and groping especially should be taken really seriously by our police so that victims get justice. Your comment miss Oakeshott is disgusting and demeans victims https://t.co/W0X69u8bS4
— James William Nelson (@JamesWilliamN11) November 17, 2021
On days like this you really think what was the bloody point.
— Rosa Zambonini (@RosaZambonini) November 17, 2021
To my daughter and her friends: HANDSY IS NOT OK, Do NOT be touched by anyone you don’t want to touch you. https://t.co/OrAAjzLuqF
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The allegations regarding the prime minister’s father erupted after Nokes told Sky News that Johnson smacked her bottom “about as hard as he could” in 2003. He also allegedly told her she had a “lovely seat”.
New Statesman journalist Ailbhe Rea also claimed Johnson “groped” her at the Conservative conference in 2019. In a tweet, Rae said: “Stanley Johnson also groped me at a party at Conservative conference in 2019.
“I am grateful to Caroline Nokes for calling out something that none of us should have to put up with, not least from the Prime Minister’s father.”
Stanley Johnson also groped me at a party at Conservative conference in 2019.
— Ailbhe Rea (@PronouncedAlva) November 15, 2021
I am grateful to Caroline Nokes for calling out something that none of us should have to put up with, not least from the Prime Minister's father. https://t.co/Uf6lEdatux
After speaking out, Nokes took to Twitter to thank people for their support. She wrote: “Just wanted to thank the sisterhood for the solidarity and support today. You know who you are and you’re amazing.”
Just wanted to thank the sisterhood for the solidarity and support today. You know who you are and you’re amazing 💕
— Caroline Nokes MP (@carolinenokes) November 16, 2021
Nokes made the allegations during a conversation hosted by Sky News focused on violence against women in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder. Labour MPs Jess Phillips and Rosena Allin-Khan and Conservative MP Fay Jones also participated in the cross-party discussion.
Nokes also shared an upsetting message she received, however.
A man allegedly wrote to her to say: “I wish he had raped you you filthy Tory w****.” She added: “That is the level of discourse women MPs have to deal with, every single day.”
Speaking to the BBC, Nokes said Johnson should “own up and apologise” and said she is speaking out now as “time has moved on and it actually matters that the experiences that we may have had as much younger women don’t leave you.”
She added: "They really don’t leave you and so it’s important that when you have the confidence to talk about them that you do."
Following the allegations the Conservative Environment Network (CEN), of which Stanley Johnson is an international ambassador, released a statement saying they take such allegations “very seriously”.
The statement continued: “We have clear internal processes for managing allegations of this nature, and these are currently being followed. The alleged behaviour is not acceptable to CEN.”
The Conservative party is yet to announce whether or not a probe will be launched while Number 10 declined to comment on allegations against the “private individual”, The Independent reports.
Indy100 has reached out to Stanley Johnson’s rep for comment.
