Newly-appointed British Education Secretary Andrea Jenkyns is facing widespread condemnation for her questionable behaviour after she was photographed showing her middle finger to the public. This had prompted many to demand her ouster while Jenkyns has issued a statement justifying her action.
The photo of Jenkyns showing her middle finger to people gathered outside Downing Street was taken on the day Boris Johnson resigned amidst mass rebellion in his cabinet. As many 59 members of his cabinet had resigned demanding his ouster from the PM’s post.
Justifying her action, Jenkyns said in a statement, “On Thursday afternoon I went to Downing Street to watch the Prime Minister’s resignation speech. A baying mob outside the gates were insulting MPs on their way in as is sadly all too common.”
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She continued, “After receiving huge amounts of abuse from some of the people who were there over the years and I have also had seven death threats in the last four years. Two of which have been in recent weeks and are currently being investigated by the police, I had reached the end of my tether.
“I responded and stood up for myself. Just why should anyone have to put up with this kind of treatment.”
— Andrea Jenkyns MP (@andreajenkyns) July 9, 2022
But her statement has found no takers. In fact, she is facing even more criticism since many felt that she has almost justified her disgraceful behaviour.
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, wrote on Twitter, “In my 32 years as a teacher, 15 of them as headteacher, I inevitably dealt with moments of poor behaviour and inappropriate conduct – from young people and staff. I have to say, ‘I’m only human’ was never good enough as an excuse from any of them for any of it.”
Even her party colleagues have described her action as ‘totally unacceptable.’ It remains to be seen whether she too will have to resign for her disgraceful behaviour.