Tory politician Anne Marie Morris is suspended after she is recorded saying ‘n***** in the woodpile’
Anne Marie Morris had the whip suspended by Theresa May over the racial slur
A TORY backbencher was suspended last night after dropping the N-word in a rant about Brexit — further slashing Theresa May’s waver thin grip on the Commons.
Anne Marie Morris had the Conservative whip removed after saying leaving the European Union with no deal was “the real n***** in the woodpile”.
It means Mrs May’s Commons majority — backed by the DUP — was last night down to 12.
The historical racist slur came at Westminster lunchtime discussion about Brexit and trade but the MP apologised “unreservedly for any offence caused” within hours.
She insisted “the comment was totally unintentional” after a tape surfaced of the event held at the posh East India Club.
But facing a backlash from her own MPs, the Prime Minster hit out: “I was shocked to hear of these remarks, which are completely unacceptable.
“I immediately asked the Chief Whip to suspend the party whip.”
Mrs May addeed: “Language like this has absolutely no place in politics or in today’s society.”
The suspension came after MPs on all sides called for her to be booted out of Parliament — including from the Government side.
Conservative Heidi Allen said MPs must “lead by example”, adding: “I’m afraid an apology is not good enough - we must show zero tolerance for racism.”
And Helen Grant added that she was “so ashamed”.
The ex-Minister fumed that it was “inconceivable for an MP using tht expression to be incognisant of its history, impact and complete unacceptability.”
And Lib Dem boss Tim Farron said the comment “has no place in our parliament.”
Labour frontbencher Angela Rayner hit out: “I honestly thought we had made some progress on this dreadful type of language and to hear an MP say it, I am genuinely shocked, awful stuff.”
And Shadow Cabinet attack dog Andrew Gwynne hit out: “Theresa May once spoke about changing the Tories’ ‘Nasty Party’ tag.
He added: “Anne Marie Morris’ comments are outrageous and totally unacceptable.”
A spokesman for the Conservative Party originally said: “We are aware of these reports, this kind of language is completely unacceptable and we are urgently investigating.”
But they later confirmed Mrs Morris had been suspended.
Privately schooled Mrs Morris has been MP for the Devon seat of Newton Abbot since 2010.
The shocking phrase originated from America’s deep south and refers to a nasty surprise, although it has been deemed grossly offensive for decades.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
In 2008, Tory peer Lord Dixon-Smith was forced to apologise for using the same slur, but then party chief David Cameron allowed him to stay on as a shadow minister.
Last night Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “This language belongs to another era and is highly regrettable.”