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The deputy Labour leader, who has been off on bereavement leave, said that “in the future I will be more careful about how I do that and in the language that I choose.” It comes following the arrest of a 52-year-old man was yesterday morning after Ms Rayner received a string of threats earlier in the month.
In a statement released this evening (Thursday), she referenced the recent stabbing of fellow MP Sir David Amess, saying in her absence that she had “reflected on our political debate and the threats and abuse that now seem to feature all too often.”
The MP for Ashton-under-Lyme said: “I have also reflected on what I said at an event at Labour Party conference.
“I was angry about where our country is headed and policies that have made life harder for so many people I represent.
“But I would like to unreservedly apologise for the language I used, and I would not use it again.”
Ms Rayner added that she would “continue to speak my mind, stand up for Labour values and hold the government to account.”
However, “all of us in positions of leadership have a responsibility for our language and rhetoric, whether towards political opponents or anyone else in society, especially those already most vulnerable.
“As Deputy Leader of the Labour Party I take this responsibility with the utmost seriousness and I am sure that politicians from all parties, the media and others with a prominent role in our public life will also reflect on this shared responsibility.”
According to the Daily Mirror, the Labour Deputy Leader addressed a fringe event at their own conference in Brighton in September, referring to Boris Johnson and his top ministers.
She said: “We cannot get any worse than a bunch of scum, homophobic, racist, misogynistic, absolute vile… banana republic, vile, nasty, Etonian… piece of scum.”
Ms Rayner reportedly added that she had “held back a little”.
She had previously refused to apologise for her remarks. In an interview with Sky News, she doubled down, saying: “I think anyone who leaves children hungry during a pandemic and can give billions of pounds for their mates on WhatsApp, I think that was pretty scummy.”
However, her statement today appeared to suggest that the death of Sir David had made her change her mind on the language she had used.
Ms Rayner, who recently lost a loved one, said in the statmement she “can’t imagine what the family of Sir David Amess are going through, but I know they will be hurting.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to them.”
Southend West MP Sir David was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery on October 15.
Ms Rayner said: “Sir David was a fine parliamentarian, a proud advocate for his constituents and above all such a kind, generous and warm-hearted man.
“He will be missed on all sides of the House.”
More to follow…
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