Ms. Jenkyns stated she “hit the end of my rope” after receiving a “great amount of vitriol,” including death threats, but acknowledged she “could have exhibited more calmness.”
This Thursday, education minister Andrea Jenkyns explained why she made an impolite gesture while entering Downing Street.
The Morley and Outwood MP made the symbol with her hand as she entered the black gates on Thursday, where she claims a “baying crowd” was taunting MPs as they entered.
After receiving criticism and death threats, Ms. Jenkyns, who was observing Boris Johnson’s resignation address, stated that she had reached “the end of my rope.”
She tweeted that she had endured “great levels of abuse from some of the people there over the years, and I have also received seven death threats in the past four years”
“Two of which have occurred in recent weeks and are being probed by authorities, I had reached my breaking point.
“I replied and asserted myself. Why should anyone be subjected to this sort of treatment?
“I could have exhibited greater composure, but I am only human.”
Mark Spencer, leader of the House of Commons, stated that it was up to Ms. Jenkyns to “justify” her actions and that he did not “attempt to condone” her conduct.
“I am aware that emotions were running high and were quite raw on that day,” he said.
However, I do not believe that was the correct action to take.
Mr. Spencer, when asked whether Ms. Jenkyns should continue her ministerial position, responded, “That is not my choice.”
In a Friday reshuffle, Mr. Johnson appointed Ms. Jenkyns parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department of Education.
The tape, which was posted to social media on Thursday evening, appears to have been shot shortly before Mr. Johnson announced his resignation as Conservative Party leader.
Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, tweeted in reaction to the scandal, “Ministers are not expected to be faultless.
Is it too much to expect that they do not treat the public in this manner?
The Education Department has been reached out to for comment.
