The new education minister, Andrea Jenkyns, claims she gave the middle finger to a “baying mob” outside Downing Street.
Shortly before Boris Johnson’s resignation, the MP was captured waving on social media.
She explained her conduct by stating that a group outside the gates was “insulting MPs… as is all too often.”
She stated that she should have exhibited greater calmness, but “is only human.”
Thursday afternoon, Ms. Jenkyns went to Downing Street to watch the prime minister’s resignation speech.
After a morning marked by an increasing number of cabinet resignations, No. 10 announced that Boris Johnson would be resigning.
Afterward, crowds gathered to celebrate his impending departure.
Ms. Jenkyns was also heard shouting as she exited Downing Street after Mr. Johnson’s address.
In videos of her departure, she is heard telling the throng, “He who laughs last, laughs loudest. “Watch and see”
Ms. Jenkyns stated in a tweet that she had endured “massive amounts of abuse from some of the folks that were there throughout the years.”
She continued, “In the past four years, I have also received seven death threats.” Two of which occurred during the past several weeks and are currently being examined by the police; I had reached my breaking point.
“I replied and asserted myself. Why should anyone be subjected to this kind of treatment?”
However, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, stated that her explanation for her actions was insufficient.
In a tweet, he stated, “In my 32 years as a teacher and 15 years as a headmaster, I have unavoidably dealt with instances of inappropriate behavior by students and staff.
“I must stress that ‘I’m only human’ was never a sufficient apology from any of them for anything,”
Commons leader Mark Spencer stated that Ms. Jenkyns’ conduct was unacceptable.
The former whip said, “I do not condone that in any way.”
“Andrea will have to completely defend herself. I am aware, however, that on that day, sentiments were likely to have been intense and raw.
“However, I do not believe that was the appropriate action,” he stated.
As Boris Johnson reshuffled his caretaker administration on Friday, Ms. Jenkyns was promoted to the position of parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department of Education.
