Tory MP Michael Fabricant defends 'complete tw**' Twitter insult

Twitter exchange: Michael Fabricant got into a spat with someone who claimed to be one of his constituents
Hatty Collier6 May 2018
WEST END FINAL

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A Tory MP who called someone claiming to be one of his constituents a “complete tw**” on Twitter has defended his actions and said he “did not have a clue” what the word means.

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant said he had meant the word "twit" when he became involved in heated exchange over this week's local elections.

The posts on Friday began when a Twitter user challenged Mr Fabricant over the town of Burntwood in his constituency, saying it had been neglected and calling the MP "weak and wobbly".

Mr Fabricant wrote back: "Says a complete tw** who seems unaware that there is no vote this year in Burntwood! And I neglect no part of my lovely constituency. That's why I'm loved!!"

Amid criticism of Mr Fabricant over the post to the Twitter account @Darcycanfly, which reportedly belongs to local teenage student Darcy Norgate, the Tory MP defended the move.

MP for Lichfield Michael Fabricant
PA Archive/PA Images

He wrote a post saying "snowflake alert", adding: "Rude twitter person who could be from anywhere (St Petersburg or Glasgow) makes rude comment then 'surprised' to be called a tw**! Oh, come on!!!"

Mr Fabricant then posted a statement saying "Momentum trolls" often commented on events in Lichfield and that the Twitter account listed no details about her age or where she lives.

He added: "Twitter is not like Facebook. It is not for those who are easily offended - unless they deliberately choose to be offended for political gain. 'Snowflakes' they are called. Labour activists love playing that game."

Mr Fabricant then wrote that he did not have a clue what the word "tw**" means, adding: "I think of it as twit".

Mr Fabricant later wrote: "For 'tw**' substitute 'twit' - which is what I meant.

"But the rest is, of course, true. Revealing how #OldLabour trolls have jumped on that bandwagon.

"If you are constituent making a serious point, you will always be treated seriously. But not if twitter location says 'Wonderland'.”

He added that if “Darcy really is a constituent”, she should make contact with him through his Parliamentary website or by letter and that he would be “more than happy to meet her and talk about politics”.

In 2013, Mr Fabricant suggested that Russell Brand sounded like a "tw**" during a Newsnight interview he gave to Jeremy Paxman about the political system.

Ms Norgate has called for an apology. She told the BBC that her mother is a teacher and that her father works for the NHS and that if they spoke to clients or students the way Mr Fabricant had to her, they would be sacked.

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