Frank McAveety, a labour MSP and former minister, has been forced to resign from his role chairing a committee in the Scottish Parliament after being heard making comments about a woman in the public benches.
A microphone picked up the MSP discussing the "very attractive girl" in a conversation with the committee clerk during a break in committee proceedings between the consideration of petitions on wind farms and Parkinson's disease.
He was heard to say: "There's a very attractive girl in the second row, dark... and dusky. We'll maybe put a wee word out for her."
The married Mr McAveety continued: "She's very attractive looking, nice, very nice, very slim," before adding: "The heat's getting to me."
But regardless of the heat he didn't give up: "She looks kinda... she's got that Filipino look.
"You know... the kind you'd see in a Gaugin painting. There's a wee bit of culture."
What is it with Labour politicians and microphones?
Mr McAveety said yesterday he would quit his role as committee convener and as Labour's sports spokesman in Scotland then events overtook him and he was sacked from both positions. Now he should have more time to ogle the women on the public benches. Was this a resigning matter? I think not. A yellow card would have sufficed.
Brian Taylor calls him a 'laddish rascal'. I call him a silly fool. Mrs McAveety may not be so restrained.
Update: Mr Eugenides has a video of the chat and his own opinion.
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23 comments:
A wee bit foolish of the man. Yes we all have natural desires and the like, but never, ever talk about them when you have a microphone on your person. And then the remark about the girl's ethnicity...leave a Labour member in a room for long enough and they are sure to sabotage their own party. Who needs opponents, right?
Morning Subrosa
ROFLMAO :)
What is it about Labour politicians and microphones?
Hi Rosa!, all I can say is "GO Mrs M! take the laddish rascal in hand and beat him mercilessly!!!" Then send him down the Jobcentre! LOL
Ah Indyanhat. When MSPs resign, alas they don't actually give up thier £50,000+ a year, so there's no need to be degraded by having to place yourself in the hands of a clerk at the jobcentre.
Not sure that resigning wasn't over the top though. After all we want our MSPs to be human beings don't we? Well, that's what blokes do, and yes, I've overheard women doing the same about men, so it cuts both ways. Human beings are interested in sex! I bet we've all talked about it at work too.
The Beano, no sorry the Sun reports, with glee I might add, that she was a schoolgirl, but I don't think it mentions her age.
If she was on work experience then I imagine she was over 16, and therefore, the Tory supporting Sun is being a tad disingenuous, given its use of schoolgirl lookalikes regularly features on page three.
@Tris, thanks for that , I sense a career change coming on...loads o dosh and a free reign with the totty if I'm not caught out talking about it....hmmm, now which party would give me the best chance at a fast election process!!!LOL
Unbelievable Rosa look, look my verification is 'abint' HAHAHAHAHAAA !!!!
Must be an omen!!!!
It appears she was a schoolgirl doing a bit of work with Robin Harper of the greens, marquis.
Oh dear and the Sun's saying his wife gave him what for too.
I don't think they have them in Glasgow CC John so they haven't had too much practice.
Glad you enjoyed it. :)
I understand his wife isn't the submissive type Indyan so he'll have had both lugs bent if nothing else.
No I don't think it's a resigning issue Tris but it's really stupid to speak like that in the parliament where microphones abound.
The girl (not woman) was 15. He had to go.
EV, he may not have been aware of her age.
It wasn't exactly a Harman-baiting comment; it may well have been true - she may have been "very attractive".
Why should a person 'have' to resign for making a complimentary remark?
If he'd have made insulting or innuendo-laden comments then yes. But not for describing someone as attractive.
Rosa - would you expect some to resign for simply calling you attractive?
Joe, I said in the post I didn't think he remarks were 'resignation' material. Just stupid.
Nope, not resignation material a all. Labour politicians fallen foul of their own PC tripe.
I agree banned. He should have stood his ground - suitably chastened of course.
Subrosa,
I left a comment a few hours ago. It appeared. It has disappeared.
Please tell me you haven't 'modded' me.
Can anyone explain to me what the statement "We'll maybe put a wee word out for her " means?
English Viking, I haven't 'modded you'. I see a comment from you at 13.52 and Joe has responded to it. Is that the one?
Auch EV, I don't see why he had to go. These days, who can tell a 15 year old from a 16 year old. Not easy. And some people do look a lot older don't they.
That baffled me too muddypaws. Maybe it's a west coast thing.
Subrosa,
No, that is not it. Maybe a dingo ate it?
EV, it didn't register in my email notification - only the above one did.
Maybe it was a desperate haggis. :)
I'm guessing it means send her a message to see if she'll meet up, for a drink or whatever....
But I agree SR, some of them are 14 and look 35 caked with makeup... heaven only knows what they'll look like at 35!
Ah right Tris. I thought it must be something along these lines. Never heard it over this way.
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