A Conservative party candidate has apologised after writing on Facebook that people on reality television show Benefits Street need “putting down”.
The Tories are facing calls to remove Francesca O’Brien in a key marginal seat after a series of inflammatory remarks on social media emerged.
The Guardian reports that Francesca O’Brien, who is standing for the party in Gower, south Wales, wrote the comments on her personal Facebook account in relation to the show in January 2014.
Of the Channel 4 programme highlighting the lives of welfare recipients, O’Brien wrote: “Benefit Street..anyone else watching this?? Wow, these people are unreal!!!”
Replying to a friend’s comment, she added: “My blood is boiling, these people need putting down.”
In a statement, O’Brien said: “These comments were made off the cuff, a number of years ago.
“However, I accept that my use of language was unacceptable and I would like to apologise for any upset I have caused.”
Labour Angela Rayner said Boris Johnson must remove her as a candidate over the “absolutely disgusting” remarks.
She said: “This is absolutely disgusting and reveals the cruelty at the heart of the Tories’ benefits cuts.
“Universal Credit was deliberately designed to punish people who are out of work.
“Many of us have relied on social security support at some point in our lives and it is nothing to be ashamed of. This person is not fit to be an MP and Boris Johnson should remove her as a candidate.”
The Conservative Party did not appear to be moving to axe O’Brien from the race ahead of the December 12 general election.
Labour’s Tonia Antoniazzi won the seat in 2017 with 22,727 votes, 3,269 ahead of the Conservative candidate.