The Beeb:

Labour peer suspended for ‘frit or lazy’ post

A Labour peer has been suspended from the parliamentary party after calling a candidate “frit or lazy” for withdrawing from local husting events over safety concerns. Lord Cashman had made the comment on social media after Rosie Duffield, who is standing to be reelected as Labour MP for Canterbury, said “constant trolling” made her attendance at hustings “impossible”.

The former EastEnders actor and Labour MEP apologised “unreservedly” for the post on Sunday.

Well he did and he didn’t. He did apologize and he did say it was unreservedly, but he also did fail to mention Rosie Duffield, so it wasn’t in fact a full or “unreserved” apology.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told reporters the comment was “particularly inappropriate” and the whip was withdrawn “very swiftly”. This means Lord Cashman will sit as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, without a party affiliation.

I wonder if Sir Keir told reporters why the comment was particularly inappropriate. I wonder if he’s said anything at all to defend or be in solidarity with Rosie Duffield. I wonder if he gets it at all yet.