Suspended Labour MP Jared O’Mara set for ‘phased return’ to work
2 min read
Jared O’Mara will embark on a “phased return” to work following his suspension by Labour over sexist and homophobic comments, it has emerged.
The Sheffield Hallam MP has been signed off work for the past month, prompting criticism from many of his constituents and calls for him to stand down.
But in a statement to The Mirror, he said: “I am so pleased to be returning to work. Last June I was incredibly proud to have been elected the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam and I am now delighted to be moving forward and able to represent my constituents."
Mr O’Mara said he will now be resuming his duties, both in Parliament and his constituency as part of a “phased return”.
He was suspended by the Labour party in October last year when offensive remarks he had previously made online emerged.
In one online post he said singer Michelle McManus had only won Pop Idol “because she was fat”, and suggested it would be funny if the jazz star Jamie Cullum was “sodomised with his own piano”.
Mr O’Mara apologised over the comments but is currently being investigated over subsequent claims that he called a barmaid an "ugly bitch" around ten months ago.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said at the launch of the probe that there would be a "full investigation" followed by "a final decision" about his future.
He has not attended a Commons vote since October 18 and has not yet spoken in a Parliamentary debate.
During his time in office he has claimed just under £10,000 in expenses for travel, office costs and accommodation.
Earlier this month outspoken Labour MP Jess Phillips called for Mr O'Mara to stand down as an MP in the wake of the row over similar comments made by columnist Toby Young.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
