Michael Fabricant sparks row by joking he would 'punch journalist in the throat'
Outspoken Tory MP Michael Fabricant apologised after joking that he would punch a journalist and author in the throat if he appeared on TV with her.
The Lichfield MP made the remarks on Twitter, a medium that has previously got him sacked as a Conservative vice chairman.
He once used it to say it was 'about time' for former culture secretary Maria Miller to resign in the row over her expenses.
Mr Fabricant was responding to the heated TV debate between Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and writer Rod Liddle who clashed on Channel 4 News over race, religion and British values.
The MP wrote:
After being criticised by Twitter users he replied: "Just out of dentist. It appears that some people who don't know me think I actually go round punching 'in the throat'. Not true.
"If anyone believes I would seriously threaten someone with violence, I of course withdraw and apologise.
"I am afraid I know I would get v angry if I had been on the Ch4 debate last night. Glad it was Rod Liddle and not me.
He also apologised directly to Ms Alibhai-Brown.
In an interview with LBC Radio David Cameron welcomed Mr Fabricant's apology, but said the original tweet was "not an acceptable thing to say".
"Michael knows that that is my view and I don't want to see this happen again," he added.
There was swift reaction on Twitter:
Labour's Chris Worsey, who is challenging Mr Fabricant in the safe Tory seat of Lichfield next year, said: "I condemn Mr Fabricant's comments. He appears to be advocating violence towards women, he should clarify his comments and he should apologise immediately. The people of Lichfield deserve better from their MP. We want our area in the headlines for the right reasons, not for things like this."
And Gloria De Piero, Labour's shadow minister for women and equalities, said:
"It is unacceptable that views like this persist in the Conservative Party. David Cameron needs to be clear about this and set out what action he will be taking."
