Scottish MP reveals online abuse in Women's Day speech

Scottish National Party MP Mhairi Black delivered a rousing speech in UK parliament, listing the online abuse she receives as a female politician, including the times she has been called the c-word.

Scottish MP Mhairi Black delivered a powerful speech on online abuse in parliament.

Scottish MP Mhairi Black delivered a powerful speech on online abuse in parliament. Source: Parliament TV

Mhairi Black, MP of Paisley and Renfrewshire South, used International Women's Day on Wednesday to detail the horrific online homophobic and misogynistic abuse she receives as a woman.

Ms Black delivered a powerful speech in the Commons, using strong language often not heard in parliament, showing when misogynist behaviour goes unchallenged it becomes normalised.

The Scottish MP said she felt uncomfortable reading out the language during a Westminster Hall debate, but said there were some people felt "comfortable flinging these words around every day".

"Now I am used to the abuse online in particular, I am regularly called a wee boy, I am told that I wear my dad's suits and stuff. Me and my pals actually laugh about it, that's how I cope with it, I find the best insults and that's how we have a laugh.




"But I struggle to see any joke in being systematically called a dyke, a rug-muncher, a slut, a whore, a scruffy bint."

After rattling off more abuse directed towards her, Ms Black addressed the harsh reality of the c-word that is often used to insult women in society.

"I could soften this by talking about the c-word but the reality is there is no softening when targeted with these words and I'm left reading them on my screen every day: 'She needs a kick in the c**t, guttural c**t, ugly c**t, wee animal c**t'."

Ms Black finished off with the most horrific abuse, leaving a lasting impression on parliament.

"I've been assured multiple times that I don't have to worry because I am so ugly that no one would want to rape me," she said.

Mhairi Black MP, speaks to delegates ahead of First Minister & SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon's keynote speech at The SNP Autumn Conference 2017 at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre on October 10, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Mhairi Black MP, speaks to delegates ahead of First Minister & SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon's keynote speech at The SNP Autumn Conference 2017. Source: Getty Images Europe


"Now all of these insults have been tailored to me because I am a woman, as a woman ... this is everyday common language."

Ms Black's speech followed several calls from MPs who spoke about classing misogyny as a hate crime.

Since the speech, the video has been viewed more than 244,000 times and has drawn the attention of Nicola Sturgeon and celebrities.

"I repeat the warning about strong language - however, @MhairiBlack right not to sugar coat the daily experiences of too many women," the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, tweeted.

"If it is uncomfortable to listen to this account, imagine how much worse it is to experience it. Incredibly proud of this remarkable young woman."


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Published 9 March 2018 8:05am
Updated 9 March 2018 10:40am
By Riley Morgan


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