Tory MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, backtracks after she was caught sending a vile WhatsApp text about Marcus Rashford’s penalty miss.
North East MP Catherine McKinell has come to the defence of England footballing hero Marcus Rashford – after he was attacked by a Tory politician.
The 23 year old footballer, was one of three England players to miss a penalty in Sunday’s tense Euro 2020 final. As well as his incredible skill on the pitch, the Manchester United forward is known for his campaigning against child hunger.
He was criticised by Natalie Elphicke, Conservative MP for Dover, who said: “They lost – would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics”
The comment, sent to a WhatsApp group of Conservative MPs, was apparently meant to be a private one, however it was leaked, and published by GB News.
Ms McKinnell, Labour MP for Newcastle North, responded on Twitter, saying: “Why would anyone judge Marcus Rashford for spending his free time fighting for disadvantaged kids to eat, read and be inspired? Is the raw truth he speaks just too painful to hear?
“Government MPs should feel ashamed and act – sadly at the moment this country needs leaders like Marcus.”
Dear The MP For Dover and Deal,
Would it be ungenerous for me to suggest you and your govt should have spent more time feeding hungry children so Footballers don’t have to? pic.twitter.com/2oOr5PQFGX
— Graham Reed (@mrgrahamreed) July 12, 2021
It comes after some critics of the Government have accused Ministers of hypocrisy for supporting England players who have been subjected to vile racist abuse on social media… we’ve seen the likes of Nigel Farage, Priti Patel and Boris Johnson all among those slammed.
Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka couldn’t score from the spot on Sunday night as England went down on penalties.
The trio’s social media pages were quickly flooded with racist comments, leading the Prime Minister to condemn the “disgusting behaviour”, along with the Duke of Cambridge and the Football Association.
Boris Johnson tweeted: “This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said she is “disgusted” by the “vile” racist abuse players were subjected to, with saying that the comments are inconsistent with previous remarks made by the politicians, when they did not support England footballers “taking the knee” to highlight racial inequality and discrimination.
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In a briefing last month, Johnson’s official spokesman said: “On taking the knee, specifically, the Prime Minister is more focused on action rather than gestures… but he fully respects the right of those who do choose to peacefully protest to make their feelings known.”
Three days later, however, in a different briefing, when asked if Boris backs players taking the knee, a Number 10 spokesman said: “Yes. The Prime Minister respects the right of all people to peacefully protest and make their feelings known about injustices.
“The Prime Minister wants to see everybody getting behind the team to cheer them on, not boo.”
Priti Patel, in an interview with GB News last month, did not condemn football fans who booed players for taking the knee, calling it a “choice for them”.
Former England defender Gary Neville suggested racist abuse “starts at the very top”.
He told Sky News: “I’m just reading your breaking news and it says the ‘PM condemns racist abuse of England players.”
“Gareth Southgate and the players a few weeks ago, about five days on the trot, told us they were taking the knee to promote equality and it was against racism.
“The Prime Minister said it was OK for the population of this country to boo those players who were trying to promote equality and defend against racism. It starts at the very top.
“I wasn’t surprised in the slightest that I woke up to those headlines; I expected it the minute that the three players that missed missed.”
Fans reacted as the Tory MP was caught sending a vile WhatsApp text about Marcus Rashford’s penalty miss…
@2Rgbargie: If only she did her job as well as Marcus Rashford
@republic_scouse: He may have missed a penalty but a lot of kids won’t miss school dinners because of him. I know which is much more important!
@yagalEish: Honestly feeding 2million children is a way bigger achievement than scoring a penalty please always remember that #MarcusRashford
@Tammymoseley121: Well I think it’s safe to say I know which one of those 2 is a amazing role model for not only this country but for all children too…..Marcus Rashford goes above and beyond and is a real inspiration!
@emmaparke13: 35% of children in Dover are currently living in poverty. Would it be ungenerous to suggest @NatalieElphicke should have spent more time perfecting not starving children & less time playing “have a go at the guy who fed the kids”? Hmm 🐸 ☕️ #ToryHypocrisy #MarcusRashford
@gitoma1: And that makes it okay does it? Has she apologised to him personally and made a substantial donation to a foodbank ( a four figure cheque would be about right) ? Otherwise she is sorry for getting caught not for what she said
@Tanweer_Dar: Marcus Rashford missed a penalty in a game. A game. It doesn’t matter. I don’t care. Marcus Rashford helped feed hungry children. Hungry children. It matters. I care. Marcus Rashford. An actual, bona fide, real life hero. #MarcusRashford #TakeTheKnee #SayNoToRacism
@IanMaher7: Resignation would be more appropriate.
@stevewmobb: It says a lot that she thinks feeding children is playing politics.
@EnchantedHam: She didn’t even really apologise either.
@nicktolhurst: Your reminder that Tory MP Natalie Elphicke made £25,000 profit out of her husband’s sexual assaults by selling the story to the Sun. Marcus Rashford fed children.
@DominicFloyd7: The most patriotic thing anyone could do right now is to leak the entire contents of the Tory MP’s group chat to the press.
@JonquilLucy: More like she’s been pressured into apologising.
@Brian_JTC: Marcus was probably tired, carrying this government
@Dee4life87: Maybe if Natalie Elphicke had not played politics and just fed the bairns Rashford would not have had to get involved.
@Mr_Lawrence4: They always say they’re sorry when caught out in the end.
@d23ward: It still absolutely amazes me the amount of critism Rashford has faced for helping hungry children. Finding fault in that is some serious bitterness.
@chrismc_pc: Big difference between being sorry ( she meant it when she wrote it) and sorry for being called out. Nasty party
Because maybe if she spent more time playing politics, Marcus wouldn’t have had to step on to help feed children
— Gregory P (@dragon35666) July 12, 2021
Of course you are sorry now that you have been found out! The question is how you ever came to equate taking a penalty to the honourable work of helping to feed poor hungry children? Sunlight really is the best disinfectant. https://t.co/VNPK9k8kO8
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 12, 2021
Marcus Rashford’s vandalised mural has been redecorated with positive messages ❤️👏
via u/SlinkySlinkster pic.twitter.com/GOGbm0491V
— utdreport (@utdreport) July 12, 2021
To those including the Tory MP for Dover ludicrously blaming Marcus Rashford’s charity work for last night’s score line, may I propose a simple solution.
You get on with feeding hungry kids and then footballers won’t need to.— Real Britain (@realbritainros) July 12, 2021
View this post on Instagram
Your periodic reminder that Tory MP Natalie Elphicke – who has attacked Marcus Rashford – sold the sordid story of her convicted and jailed sex offender husband to The Scum for £25,000. Where do you even start with this level of Tory moral bankruptcy? 🤮#MarcusRashford pic.twitter.com/S0G35ig6zk
— Brexit Buster (@BrexitBuster) July 12, 2021
A beautiful human being.
Who has done so much for so many.
If we had more @MarcusRashford ‘s in the world. It would be a better place for everyone. #MarcusRashford pic.twitter.com/NkZ6A9sNLL— 🇬🇧Love Sanditon uk (@LSanditon) July 12, 2021
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