A Tory MP is facing a backlash after appearing to mock a woman’s mental health challenges on social media.
Brendan Clarke-Smith wrote on Twitter he was “playing the world’s smallest violin” after Supertanskiii, who has around 174,000 followers on the site and is a frequent critic of the Conservative government, thanked the Samaritans for their support while attending Glastonbury this weekend.
In the first message of a thread, she wrote: “On a personal level I’d like to say a huge thank you to the lovely man volunteering for the Samaritans near the Pyramid stage.
“He noticed that I’d paused near their truck after Lizzo and asked if I was ok. I wasn’t, it meant the world to me. That chat made such a difference.”
The next tweet referenced “severe ADHD symptoms” and how the Tories are “decimating the NHS”.
In response to the thread, Clarke-Smith wrote: “Cares little for the welfare of others however when spouting her foul-mouthed bile on twitter. Excuse me for playing the world’s smallest violin.”
His comment sparked a huge backlash, with Labour MP and privileges committee chairperson Chris Bryant writing: “This really is out of order. Mocking someone talking about mental health support from the Samaritans. Brendan Clarke-Smith I suggest you take this down.”
Broadcasters Carol Vorderman and James O’Brien were among those to add their criticism.
Later, Supertanskiii wrote she does “razz Tory MPs online” as it was “the least they deserve for destroying Britain”.
She went on: “I started making anti Tory content around the time my friend died by suicide during covid. I’m ND and have PTSD, I mask my upset but this, from Brendan Clarke-Smith, has caused severe distress.”