According to Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns, who raised her middle finger in the direction of a “baying crowd” of anti-Boris Johnson protesters, “I had reached the end of my tether.”
The Tory MP and recently appointed junior education minister, who made the gesture as she arrived in Downing Street on Thursday afternoon before being given the position, has acknowledged that she’should have displayed more control’ after growing angry with the ‘Bye Boris’ protesters.
She claimed that over the years, she had experienced “massive amounts of harassment,” including two recent threats of death, and that she was now standing up for herself.
After the minister was caught on camera making the impolite gesture as she entered Downing Street, conservatives criticized her today.
I should have maintained my composure, but I’m just human, said Ms. Jenkyns.
Mark Spencer, the leader of the Commons, has urged Ms. Jenkyns to “justify” her actions, while former science minister George Freeman has denounced her behavior 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 protester 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 behavior 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.
‘On Thursday afternoon I went to Downing Street to watch the Prime Minister’s resignation speech,’ Ms. Jenkyns stated in a statement that was posted on Twitter.
As is regrettably all too usual, a yelling throng was cursing MPs as they entered the building outside the gates.
I’ve endured a great deal of harassment from some of the residents throughout the years, and in the past four years, I’ve also received seven death threats.
“I had reached the end of my rope,” she said. “Two of which had been in the past few weeks and are currently the subject of a police investigation.
I reacted and defended myself.
“Why should anyone put up with this kind of treatment, I ask.
“I should have acted with more poise, but I’m just human,” I said.
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?
Friday saw the appointment of Ms. Jenkyns to the position of parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Education by outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
One of the MPs who stood outside No. 10 on Thursday as Mr. Johnson announced his retirement was the minister of 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.
We’ve reached out to the Department of Education for comment.
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.
Get your Johnson out of our democracy, yelled one of the protesters waving a banner outside Downing Street.