Disabled MP tells of Commons mockery

AN MP with cerebral palsy has described how he was mocked about his disability as he tried to speak in the House of Commons.

Paul Maynard, who was elected as the Conservative MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys last May, accused Labour MPs of "pulling faces" at him in an apparent mimic.

He said: "They were constantly intervening, trying to put me off my stride, which may be just normal parliamentary tactics.

"But some were pulling faces at me, really exaggerated gesticulations, really exaggerated faces."

He added: "Only they know for certain whether they were taking the mick out of my disability. But it felt like it."

Other MPs confirmed that the incident had taken place during a debate.

The incident calls into question the sometimes highly aggressive and confrontational nature of the Commons. It may also undermine efforts to increase diversity in parliament.

On his personal website, Maynard describes his cerebral palsy as "very mild" and says it does not especially affect the way he lives.

Labour MP Tom Harris said fellow MPs would not have deliberately mocked somebody for having a disability.

"There is not a single member of the House of Commons or any party who would deliberately attack or criticise or mock anyone for a disability," he said.

Harris, who was not present at the time, said he understood people were jeering until they realised there was "another issue".