‘I want to talk to the totty’ MP reported for sexist jibe at female reporter in Parliament
A MALE MP has been forced to apologise after approaching a senior female journalist in Parliament and saying he wanted “to talk to the totty”.
A female journalist received a sexist jibe from an MP
Isabel Hardman, assistant editor of the Spectator, revealed the sexist jibe on Twitter but refused to name the culprit.
Ms Hardman instead reported the incident to party whips - MPs responsible for party discipline - and received an apology within hours.
She said she had hesitated about revealing the exchange but decided to do so because “sexists” should not be allowed to make such remarks.
I want to talk to the totty
The Spectator journalist posted on Twitter: “Last night, an MP who I’ve only met a couple of times actually said to me as his opening gambit ‘I want to talk to the totty’”.
Ms Hardman added: “Have been thinking about whether or not to tweet about it, but actually that is NOT on and lobby women shouldn’t have to put up with it.
“So I have passed the MP’s name on to a whip. I don’t betray sources. But I will betray sexists.”
Last night, an MP who I've only met a couple of times actually said to me as his opening gambit "I want to talk to the totty."
— Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) 12 April 2016
Have been thinking about whether or not to tweet about it, but actually that is NOT on and lobby women shouldn't have to put up with it.
— Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) 12 April 2016
Ms Hardman added: “Whips have dealt with it + apology on its way from v. contrite MP. Not naming as no social media witch hunt ever made anything better.”
The exchange is the latest in a series of unsavoury incidents in Parliament in recent times.
Earlier this year, a black Labour MP revealed she had suffered racism in Parliament after a fellow MP mistook her for a cleaner.
Dawn Butler was mistaken as a cleaner in Parliament
Dawn Butler said: "There was a time when I was in the lift.
“It was a Members' lift that Members of Parliament use specially in cases (where) we have get to places quickly.
“I was in the lift and some other MP said, ''This lift really isn't for cleaners’”.
So I have passed the MP's name on to a whip. I don't betray sources. But I will betray sexists. *Strikes dramatic pose*
— Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) 12 April 2016
In a separate incident former Tory minister David Heathcote-Amory confronted Ms Butler for sitting in the Members’ section on the terrace.
Ms Bulter wrote in an article: “He actually said to me, ''What are you doing here? This is for Members only.
Emma Watson Celebrates International Women's Day by Discussing Sexism
“He then proceeded to ask me?, 'Are you a member?' And I said?, 'Yes I am, are you??'? And he turned around and said to his colleague, 'They're letting anybody in nowadays.”
Former Liberal Democrat minister Jo Swinson, who was the youngest MP when first elected in 2005, said she has been mistaken as a researcher while in Parliament.
Jo Swinson has said MPs have mistaken her for a researcher
Ms Swinson said: “I had the dual issue of being a woman and being young. I think I experienced ageism more than sexism.
Parliament has been accused of being sexist on numerous occasions
“I used to get mistaken for a researcher all the time because people looked at me and didn't see an MP.”