Labour MP accused of making ‘threatening remark’ to pregnant journalist
3 min read
A Labour MP has been accused of trying to threaten a pregnant TV producer after she warned her to “be careful” and then added: "Hope you have a great birth, because child labour is hard".
Tulip Siddiq, who sits on the Women and Equalities committee, is said to have made the remarks when facing questions on whether she could help Bangladeshi prisoners because her aunt is prime minister there.
The editor of Channel 4 news confirmed the broadcaster has complained about Mr Siddiq to the Labour party, however the Labour MP's response was to then complain about Channel 4 to the police.
Ms Siddiq was being asked about Ahmad bin Quasem, a lawyer who was reportedly abducted in Bangladesh.
She responded: "I'm a Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, I'm a British Member of Parliament. Be very careful.
"I'm not Bangladeshi and the person you are talking about, I have no idea about their case. That is the end of my statement."
Channel 4 journalist Alex Thomson, who was carrying out the interview, claimed this is the first time in 30 years an MP has told him to be careful for asking a question.
He added that Ms Siddiq "then made an apparently threatening comment to our producer, who is pregnant".
The MP said after walking away from the camera: "Thanks Daisy for coming. Hope you have a great birth because child labour is hard."
Producer Daisy Ayliffe said afterwards: "The perils of being a pregnant journalist: An MP might use it against you."
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: "Her hypocrisy is quite shocking. When she was pregnant she brought much criticism on those who she thought were less than understanding of her situation and this was much publicised. Clearly she has questions to answer about her conduct."
His comments were in reference to last year when Ms Siddiq was accused of “playing the pregnancy card” after she left a debate to eat last year.
Mr Thomson and Channel 4 news editor Ben de Pear took to Twitter to share their comments.
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