Amber Rudd apologises for describing Diane Abbott as a ‘coloured woman’
2 min read
Amber Rudd has been forced to apologise after she sparked outrage by describing Diane Abbott as a “coloured woman”.
The Work and Pensions Secretary was discussing abuse suffered by MPs when she used the outdated term to describe the Shadow Home Secretary.
Speaking on the Jeremy Vine Show about internet trolling ahead of International Women’s Day, Ms Rudd said female politicans were often singled out for abuse, adding: “It’s worst of all if you are a coloured woman. I know that Diane Abbott gets a huge amount of abuse.”
Responding to the remarks, Ms Abbott tweeted: “The term 'coloured' is outdated, offensive and revealing choice of words.”
Labour MP Diane Rowley added: “Amber Rudd undermining an important point about online abuse by referring to Diane Abbott as a 'coloured woman' on BBC Radio 2. She clearly gets her language from the same bygone era as her abhorrent welfare apologies.”
In a tweet, Ms Rudd apologised to the Shadow Home Secretary, saying: “Mortified at my clumsy language and sorry to @HackneyAbbott. My points stands: that no one should suffer abuse because of their race or gender.”
It comes after the cabinet minister appeared in a video for Joe Politics earlier today where she read out examples of misogynist abuse she had received on social media.
She said: “The abuse female colleagues receive on social media in unacceptable and a stain on society.
“This International Women’s Day we must remember we are much, much better than this.”
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