REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean has come under fire after sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter) about Bromsgrove’s transgender Green Party candidate.
As well as sharing the post about Melissa Poulton, she also made comments which have been labelled by some as ‘hateful’ and ‘transphobic’.
The original post described Ms Poulton as ‘a man who wears a wig and calls himself a proud lesbian’.
Mrs Maclean, who was made deputy chair of the Conservative Party by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in his recent reshuffle, added, via her post: “While the Greens don’t know what a woman is, my Worcestershire neighbours the people of Bromsgrove certainly do.”
Ms Poulton told the Standard: “It is complete dogwhistling and gaslighting.
“She is meant to be representing women in Parliament.
“If she can come out with comments like this, she is in the wrong job.”
Ms Poulton has been involved in politics for 10 years and in the Green Party since 2020, standing as a candidate in the Worcestershire County and Wyre Forest District council elections previously.
Ms Poulton added; “I have had some great support from the Bromsgrove Labour Party and Lib Dems who have assured me there will be a clean campaign in Bromsgrove, as there always is.
“I’m sure I will get a similar response from the Bromsgrove Conservatives.”
Adding there had also been other negative comments on social media, Ms Poulton said: “I know the people I have hate from won’t vote for me but I don’t want their votes anyway.
“A lot of people have said they will be voting for me.”
‘MP needs to question her position’
Joe Baker, leader Of The Redditch Labour Group, described the comments as ‘absolutely vile and hateful’.
“The original author of the post’s intentions are promoting a hate crime and should be reported not liked and reposted.
“People who hold positions of authority should be looking after those they are in a position to serve.
“I understand that the situation is sensitive and I believe everyone has a right to their opinions but when that opinion promotes hate and harm then this needs to be challenged.
“Rachel now needs to question her position.”
Apology
Mrs Maclean has since removed the post and said: “I am sorry for any offence caused and I have now deleted the tweet.
“I believe everyone should be free to live their lives and fulfil their potential regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity and to have the confidence and the freedom to be themselves.”
