FOOTAGE of Tories laughing at an MP’s joke about sending Scots to the “colonies” as slaves has resurfaced on social media.
The 2015 clip of Lucy Frazer suggesting transporting Scots as slaves could be the answer to the West Lothian Question was unsurfaced amid public debate over Britain’s involvement in the slave trade.
The removal of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol this week sparked conversations about how Britain’s role in the trade is remembered.
A statue of another slave trader, Robert Milligan, was removed from outside a London museum on Tuesday and other cities have indicated they will review their own monuments to those involved in the trade.
This has aged well, not🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/Qkea4dWPEg
— Alex O'Henley (@OHenleyAlex) June 10, 2020
On Twitter the video of Fraser, who has since apologised for the comments, sparked anger with people saying they felt “appalled” and “disgusted” by the clip.
The South East Cambridgeshire MP made the joke in the Commons in response to a question over voting rights.
Egged on by her colleagues – including health and care minister Helen Whately, who has recently struggled in a number of TV interviews on Covid-19 – Frazer said: “[Cambridgeshire] is the home of Oliver Cromwell, who defeated the Scots at Dunbar, incorporated Scotland into his Protectorate and transported the Scots as slaves to the colonies.
“Now there is an answer to the West Lothian question – but not one that of course I would recommend.”
MPs around Frazer then erupted into laughter.
READ MORE: Lessons on racism from Scotland's shameful past
The West Lothian Question asks whether MPs from the devolved nations should be able to vote on England-only matters.
Social media users were furious with the old clip, with one writing: “Slavery it’s all a bit of a laugh really for the Tories.”
Emilie Ancelin added: “Are we really surprised after BoJo’s speech yesterday, talking about racism and hatred in the UK with a content smile on his face.
“Honestly, What’s next?”
Another user asked: “What is wrong with these people that they fall over themselves to be offensive?”
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