Labour MP Jared O’Mara has been forced to resign from the Women and Equalities Committee over sexist and homophobic remarks.
O’Mara, who is MP for Sheffield Hallam, made the comments 15 years ago when he was 21.
Writing on a music Internet forum, O’Mara referred to gay people as “fudge packers” and “plotters”.
O’Mara, who was born with cerebral palsy, also said the gay people, “think they have the monopoly on being subject to abuse – they should try being ginger…AND disabled! Can you being to imagine how s****y that can be?”
He also posted derogatory remarks on women, saying “fat women don’t deserve respect”, and made comments about Pop Idol’s Michelle McManus, who he said that she only won “because she was fat.”
He also posted comments about girl band, Girls Aloud, writing, “I advise you to sack Sarah and the remaining four members come have an orgy with me.”
A spokesperson confirmed that O’Mara had resigned from his position within the Women and Equalities Select Committee.
In response to his comments, O’Mara said, “I am deeply ashamed of the comments, which were posted during the early 2000s.”
“I was wrong to make them; I understand why they are offensive and sincerely apologise for my use of such unacceptable language.”
“I made the comments as a young man, at a particularly difficult time in my life, but that is no excuse.”
“I continue to strive to be a better man and work where I can confront misogyny, which is why I’m so proud to sit on the Women and Equalities Select Committee.”
“I will continue to engage with, and crucially learn from, feminist and other equalities groups so as an MP I can do whatever I can tackle misogyny.”
