Wigan and Leigh MPs sign letter of support for Meghan over "distasteful and misleading" national newspaper stories

Two of Wigan borough's MPs are among the signatories to a letter of female parliamentary solidarity sent to he Duchess of Sussex against the "distasteful and misleading nature" of newspaper stories about her and her family.
The Duchess of SussexThe Duchess of Sussex
The Duchess of Sussex

Lisa Nandy and Jo Platt are among 72 female members' names put to the offer of using the "means at our disposal" to ensure the press accept her right to privacy, show respect, and that their stories "reflect the truth".

The open cross-party letter posted on social media by Labour MP Holly Lynch on Tuesday said that the media had printed stories and headlines which had invaded the duchess's privacy and "sought to cast aspersions" on her character.

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It added: "As women MPs of all political persuasions, we wanted to express our solidarity with you in taking a stand against the often distasteful and misleading nature of the stories printed in a number of our national newspapers concerning you, your character and your family.

Wigan MP Lisa NandyWigan MP Lisa Nandy
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy

"On occasions, stories and headlines have represented an invasion of your privacy and have sought to cast aspersions about your character, without any good reason as far as we can see.

"Even more concerning still, we are calling out what can only be described as outdated, colonial undertones to some of there stories.

"As women members of Parliament from all backgrounds, we stand with you in saying it cannot be allowed to go unchallenged."

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The letter said that as women in public life, female MPs understood the "abuse and intimidation" used as a "means of disparaging women in public office".

Leigh MP Jo PlattLeigh MP Jo Platt
Leigh MP Jo Platt

It added: "Although we find ourselves being women in public life in a very different way to you, we share an understanding of the abuse and intimidation which is now so often used as a means of disparaging women in public office from getting on with our very important work.

"We expect the national media to have the integrity to know when a story is in the national interest, and when it is seeking to tear a woman down for no apparent reason.

"You have our assurances that we stand with you in solidarity on this.

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"We will use the means at our disposal to ensure that our press accept your right to privacy and show respect, and that their stories reflect the truth."

Ms Lynch, who like the Duchess has a young baby of her own, told the PA news agency she drafted the letter because she had become "increasingly uncomfortable" with some of the articles about Meghan.

She said: "As women in public life we have some insight into how it feels, but when we stick together we can make a difference."

Meanwhile Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney, a close friend of the Duchess, praised the MPs on Twitter, writing "That's what I'm talking about".