MP apologises for tweet saying he would punch female journalist

London: Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has apologised after tweeting that he might punch a female journalist in the throat.

Fabricant made the comments about leftwing journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown after she clashed with rightwing commentator Rod Liddle on a television news programme.

He tweeted: “I could never appear on a discussion prog with @y_alibhai I would either end up with a brain haemorrhage or by punching her in the throat.”

The comments sparked a furious backlash and immediate calls for him to issue a full apology, including from Tory high command.

A Conservative spokesman said: “Mr Fabricant’s comments were completely unacceptable, in poor taste and he should immediately apologise.”

Labour’s Gloria De Piero, shadow minister for women and equalities, said: “Michael Fabricant’s tweet is utterly appalling and he must apologise personally to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown immediately.

“It is unacceptable that views like this persist in the Conservative party. David Cameron needs to be clear about this and set out what action he will be taking.”

She tweeted: “What a disgusting thing to say @Mike_Fabricant. I think you shld apologise to @y_alibhai.”

Lady Hussein-Ece asked Fabricant: “Really? - You an MP want to ‘punch a woman in the throat?’”

Fabricant, a former Tory vice-chair, later tweeted: “So just for the avoidance of any doubt: I am v sorry for tweet. It was wrong to joke abt punching + I completely withdraw and apologise.”

Alibhai-Brown said the MP could “stuff” his apology and said she was “still reeling” from the comments.

She told LBC radio: “Is this his apology? Well he can stuff it. I don’t want to talk to him at all.

“This is his apology? As an elected member of parliament [he] thinks it’s OK to say that he would punch me in the throat because he didn’t like what I said to a man who is perfectly capable of taking anything, Mr Rod Liddle, he’s not a soft little kitten.

“He has not apologised. I do not call this an apology. This is him trying to get out of a difficult situation and he’s actually making it worse,” she added.

She added on Twitter: “Tories like you think people like me should be ayahs or selling you curry.”

Alibhai-Brown, a Muslim who came to Britain from Uganda in 1972, said she felt like Mr Fabricant was “encouraging” people who have previously threatened violence against her.

“These guys find us unbearable,” she added. “I think they still think Asian women should be their ayahs, their nursemaids, or selling them takeaways. We can be out here being assertive.”

Over a series of tweets, Fabricant attempted to make amends for the comments, telling Alibhai-Brown she was “utterly infuriating” but he would not have actually punched her.

He wrote: “Just out of dentist. 1 It appears that some people who don’t know me think I actually go round punching ‘in the throat’. Not true.

“2. If anyone believes I would seriously threaten someone with violence, I of course withdraw and apologise.

“3. I am afraid I know I would get v angry if I had been on the Ch4 debate last night. Glad it was Rod Liddle and not me!

“Sorry @y_alibhai if you actually thought I would punch you. I actually don’t do that sort of thing. But you are utterly infuriating! xx”.

Fabricant was also criticised for retweeting a comment which said the journalist should be deported.

Other Twitter users pointed out that Fabricant had once been photographed with a sign stating: “Real men don’t hit women.”