Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Victoria Jones/PA Images

'I think you're being offensive': Dominic Raab confronted by foodbank user at constituency event

The incident happened on Thursday, but footage of the confrontation has since gone viral.

THE UK’S FOREIGN Secretary Dominic Raab has been confronted by an angry mother at a local hustings event as she questioned him about Conservative plans to raise the threshold for paying National Insurance.

The unnamed woman, who said she was a foodbank user, asked Raab about the suggestion that the measure would “put £500 in the pocket of everybody”, questioning him how far that money would go.

Raab said: “It’s an incremental increase but it’s more than any other party is offering to the lowest paid in our society. I would raise it even further.”

However, when asked how the plans would be funded, Raab said “I’ve done this for two hours”, before attempting to walk away.

But the angry parent told him: “I just want to understand. I am a foodbank user and I don’t think you’ve really stepped in one. I don’t think you’ve talked to the people there.

“When you are talking about the £500, I think you are being offensive to the people who actually need to use the foodbank. When you are talking about three weeks of your shopping per year.”

The confrontation took place on Thursday at St Andrew’s Church in Cobham, but footage of the incident has since gone viral.

At the same event, Raab was booed and laughed at by a room of constituents as he explained his party’s Brexit plans.

He was taking questions from his constituents alongside Monica Harding, the Liberal Democrat hopeful.

As Raab tried to give his closing speech, there was continued heckling from the crowd.

Saira Ramadan, who caught both moments on camera, told the PA news agency: “Mr Raab said that he had been ‘doing this for two hours’ when this lady wanted to discuss the Tory pledge with him and he immediately left the church after saying ‘well you’re entitled to your opinion’ at the end of the video.

“Frankly, I was disappointed that he appeared to give her relatively short shrift. As her MP, there for a public speaking event, I would have expected him to give some time to one of his more vulnerable constituents.

“I appreciate that the nature of her question was somewhat hypothetical and he may have found it difficult to give an appropriate response but the manner in which he responded to her was unbecoming of someone of his standing.”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Nora Creamer
View 35 comments
Close
35 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds