Labour suspends MP for Sheffield Hallam Jared O’Mara
Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam Jared O’Mara has been suspended from the party and the Whip has been withdrawn.
The decision comes after the media reported mysogynist and homophobic comments O’Mara made online before he became an MP.
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Women and Equalities minister Justine Greening wrote to Jeremy Corbyn this week asking how the Labour party was planning to respond to the reports.
“Senior women in the Labour party have understandably condemned his words and as leader of the Labour party, you should too,” she said.
O’Mara, who sits on the Women and Equalities Select Committee, has apologised for his comments, and has said his attitudes and behaviour have changed.
In an interview to website Huck, he said: “In terms of resigning as an MP? I think there’s a place for me. I want to educate people and help people going through those prejudices grow out of them. I’ve gone on that journey and feel I can help.”
Mims Davies MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Parliament, said:
Totally right that the whip has been suspended from Jared O’Mara for his vile homophobic and sexist comments – but why on earth has it taken so long?
Jeremy Corbyn has for too long turned a blind eye to this kind of behaviour in the Labour Party. Unless you call it out, you’re part of the problem.