Forest MP apologises for failing to wear mask indoors in 'rude and aggressive' spat with constituent
SIR Desmond Swayne MP has apologised to a Ringwood woman after an angry spat over his refusal to wear a mask at an indoor constituency surgery.
Liz Connors, a commoner and retired autism advisor, told the A&T she was so shocked she emailed a complaint to the Conservative Party and Prime Minister’s office.
Sir Desmond, who has previously attacked the government’s coronavirus restrictions as “monstrous”, refused to comment directly on her claims that he was not wearing a mask inside the Scout hut in Poulner – which is likely to have breached guidelines in place since 27th August.
He has previously admitted on social media to forgetting to carry a mask, variously resorting to wearing a dog blanket and a sock, despite having been sent a set by a Ringwood School pupil.
Mrs Connors accused the MP of becoming “rude and aggressive” when they met last Saturday morning.
She said: “Just minutes before, I had been listening to Michael Gove on Radio 4 talking about what a desperate point we were at and everybody had to be careful. But then as I walked in he wasn’t wearing a face mask.
“I said, ‘I’m sorry but I’m not willing to be in a room without you having a face mask on’.
“First of all he tried to get me to sit in a chair up the back of the hall and shout to him from there. It was just so rude. His behaviour was quite angry and bullying.
“He then said, ‘Oh my God’, grabbed the door and slammed it back open and grabbed a chair in an angry mood and went outside.”
Eventually they settled on having a discussion while standing outside. She added: “I came home and I was shaking. You don’t expect when you make an appointment to see your MP to be treated like that.
“The main bit, really, is that he is refusing to abide by the rules his own government laid down.
“I accept he may have his own individual thoughts but he is an MP who is supposed to be representing constituents.”
Mrs Connors explained she had gone to the surgery to lobby him for the 40mph limit on Linford Road in Ringwood to be cut to 30mph.
In a reply to her email of complaint to him, Sir Desmond said: “I am sorry to have
upset you, please accept my apology. I will make representations to [Hampshire County Council] highways following our meeting.”
Approached by the A&T, Sir Desmond refused to elaborate: “I cannot comment on any individual encounter; that would breach the confidentiality of my surgery.
“What I can say is that a number of constituents visited my surgery on Saturday. We occupied a very large hall. Only three persons were present at any one time: myself, a district councillor, and a constituent. All proper social distancing was observed.
“Guidance does not require the wearing of masks, but I have no objection to a constituent choosing to wear one.”
When the A&T presented government guidance released on 17th August which said face masks should be worn within venues including “community centres, youth centres and social clubs”, he replied: “I have nothing further to add to what I said.”
