Conservatives today criticized Andrea Jenkyns, a supporter of Boris Johnson, after she was caught on camera making an offensive gesture as she entered Downing Street.
Prior to being named education minister, the Tory representative for Morley and Outwood made the symbol with her hand as she entered the black gates on Thursday afternoon.
Mark Spencer, the leader of the Commons, has urged Ms. Jenkyns to “justify” her actions, while former science minister George Freeman has denounced her behaviour as “appalling.”
Former chief whip Mr. Spencer continued, “I don’t think the gesture was at all the correct thing to do.”
He who laughs last laughs the loudest…wait and see, yelled Ms. Jenkyns as she addressed demonstrators once again after leaving Downing Street.
The Benny Hill theme song, which had been blasting from the speaker of infamous anti-Brexit protestor Steve Bray, 53, for the majority of the day, and a sea of booing, however, completely drowned out her taunt.
Bye Bye Boris, Mr. Bray’s reworked version of the Bay City Rollers’ popular song “Bye Bye Baby,” which he had earlier used to interrupt a live TV show.
When asked if Ms. Jenkyns’ action was appropriate, Mr. Spencer responded, “No, I don’t believe it is, to be honest.” I’m not trying to support that in any way.
Andrea will have to ‘justify it for herself,’ so to speak. However, I am aware that on that particular day, feelings were really raw and were running pretty high. But I don’t believe that was at all the correct thing to do.
When questioned about whether she should continue serving as a minister, he responded, “That’s not my choice.”
The week before his resignation, Mr. Freeman made the following statement on Twitter: “Ministers should set the highest standards in office.” Sorry, but this is despicable behaviour from a minister of the Crown.
“To restore the Ministerial code & respect for the responsibilities of service in public office,” the statement said, “we need a new Prime Minister.”
In a Friday reorganization, Prime Minister Boris Johnson nominated Ms. Jenkyns to the position of parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Education.
The video, which was posted on social media on Thursday night, appears to have been taken just before Mr. Johnson announced he would resign down as Conservative Party leader.
Whom the gesture was directed at is unknown.
Bridget Phillipson, a shadow education secretary, tweeted in response to the video: “Ministers aren’t expected to be faultless. But is it too much to demand that they stop treating the people in this way?
We’ve been in touch with Ms. Jenkyns and the Department of Education for comments.
One of the MPs who stood outside No. 10 on Thursday as Mr. Johnson announced his retirement was the minister of education.
After the executive of the backbench 1922 Committee is chosen, a timeline for the Conservative Party leadership election is anticipated to be created.
The majority of the demonstrators outside Downing Street looked to be against Mr. Johnson.
The crowd had jeered the day before when Mr. Johnson announced his resignation in a speech outside of Number 10.
Get your Johnson out of our democracy, yelled one of the protesters waving a banner outside Downing Street.