A social media row has unfolded after an MP seemingly 'liked' a 'misogynistic and abusive' tweet attacking Tameside MP and deputy Labour Party leader Angela Rayner. Scott Benton, the Conservative MP for Blackpool North, has drawn criticism from Twitter users including Parklife festival boss Sacha Lord.
Lancs Live reports that Mr Benton frequently uses the social media platform to respond harshly to critics and those who disagree with him. The Tory MP has recently spoken out over the abuse faced by MPs both online and offline, and last week told ITV that police are investigating two incidents of alleged abuse or harassment towards him.
But he is now facing accusations of hypocrisy over the concerning issue of abuse MPs face after seemingly 'liking' a tweet attacking Ms Rayner, the Labour MP for Ashton-under-Lyne. Multiple users highlighted Mr Benton liking the tweet, an action he has seemingly since undone.
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The liked post, from user David J Bond, included a screenshotted picture of Ms Rayner which contained details of her expenses claims as an MP. It was posted alongside the following message with a series of laughing emojis: "The former 15 year-old, pregnant schoolgirl, @AngelaRayner... was a grandmother in her early thirties, writing in Saturday's @DailyMailUK, sl*gging off @BorisJohnson for HIS lack of morals and ethics."
Among those to criticise were influential business leader Sacha Lord. Mr Lord, who is Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester and co-founder of Parklife Festival and The Warehouse Project, wrote: "That’s appalling… he should apologise."
Others went further in their criticism, with a leading voice in Blackpool's charity sector, Chris Webb, writing: "I’m disgusted that my MP for Blackpool South agrees with this misogynistic and abusive rhetoric. Especially after the horrific abuse Angela Rayner and her family endure. It clear he has a problem with strong, confident, outspoken women."
He added: "Just last week he complained about the abuse he receives on ITV, yet that same show revealed Angela received the highest proportion of abuse online." After Mr Benton 'unliked' the tweet, Chris posted: "Hi, @ScottBentonMP I see that you’ve ‘unliked’ the below tweet. Now how about an apology to @AngelaRayner? #BlackpoolSouth."
For the last three days LancsLive invited Mr Benton on multiple occasions to comment on the criticism he has faced and to explain the situation in full. Despite acknowledging the request, LancsLive received no response from the Blackpool South MP.
The Conservative Party also did respond to requests to comment during the same time period.
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