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Kate Plummer
Jul 31, 2021
Former politician Digby Jones has been roundly criticised after he mocked BBC Olympics broadcaster Alex Scott’s accent.
Writing on Twitter, Jones - who previously acted as Minister of State for Trade and Investment and retired from the House of Lords last year - sparked criticism after he claimed she “spoils” her presenting with her accent and claimed she needed “elocution lessons”.
He wrote: “Enough! I can’t stand it anymore! Alex Scott spoils a good presentational job on the BBC Olympics Team with her very noticeable inability to pronounce her ‘g’s at the end of a word. Competitors are NOT taking part, Alex, in the fencin, rowin, boxin, kayakin, weightliftin & swimmin.”
He added: “She’s hot on the heels of Beth Rigby at Sky the Home Secretary for God’s sake! Can’t someone give these people elocution lessons? I fear that it may be aped by youngsters along the lines of the use of the moronic interrogative originally caused by “Neighbours”; on behalf of the English Language…..Help!”
Enough! I can’t stand it anymore! Alex Scott spoils a good presentational job on the BBC Olympics Team with her ver… https://t.co/vMjmisUIsk— Lord Digby Jones (@Lord Digby Jones) 1627667080
She’s hot on the heels of Beth Rigby at Sky the Home Secretary for God’s sake! Can’t someone give these people eloc… https://t.co/26YbYkKVWk— Lord Digby Jones (@Lord Digby Jones) 1627667080
Responding to Jones, people including politician Andy Burnham and actor Eddie Marsan slammed him for his “idiocy”.
We're happy to hear you & your expertise - Lord Digby Jones can take his idiocy elsewhere! #alexscott #GreatPundit https://t.co/xMV1TO0vL7— Rey Izain (@Rey Izain) 1627723141
Many in this country still judge people by the way they speak rather than what they say. @AlexScott has achieved t… https://t.co/f7VHYLQRpm— Eddie Marsan (@Eddie Marsan) 1627717025
@mrjamesob @LBC The english language changes over time. He should'st wot. Nought stays the like, except, alas, digby jones— Simon Frain (@Simon Frain) 1627723118
I like natural, authentic accents. What annoys me is people putting on posh accents. https://t.co/2RtV8R9En8— Andy Burnham (@Andy Burnham) 1627722736
Criticism from Digby Jones is a badge of honour, Alex. Everyone else loves your accent. Keep talkin' in your own… https://t.co/kknBGSA62b— DAVE FAIRWEATHER #3.5% #FBPE #STILLEUROPEAN (@DAVE FAIRWEATHER #3.5% #FBPE #STILLEUROPEAN) 1627723705
Meanwhile, others showed their support for Scott who herself responded saying:
“I’m from a working class family in East London, Poplar, Tower Hamlets & I am PROUD. Proud of the young girl who overcame obstacles, and proud of my accent! It’s me, it’s my journey, my grit.”
She added: “A quick one to any young kids who may not have a certain kind of privilege in life. Never allow judgments on your class, accent, or appearance hold you back. Use your history to write your story. Keep striving, keep shining & don’t change for anyone.
“Tweets like this just give me the energy to keep going See you tomorrow.. live on BBC baby.”
I’m from a working class family in East London, Poplar, Tower Hamlets & I am PROUD 🙌🏾 Proud of the young girl who… https://t.co/mG4twoQTDH— Alex Scott MBE (@Alex Scott MBE) 1627689131
A quick one to any young kids who may not have a certain kind of privilege in life. Never allow judgments on your… https://t.co/mmFwlK6cW1— Alex Scott MBE (@Alex Scott MBE) 1627689233
A quick one to any young kids who may not have a certain kind of privilege in life. Never allow judgments on your… https://t.co/mmFwlK6cW1— Alex Scott MBE (@Alex Scott MBE) 1627689233
Responding to her, Dawn Butler MP said:
@AlexScott Keep rising 🥰💕— Dawn Butler MP✊🏾💙 (@Dawn Butler MP✊🏾💙) 1627713758
Too right.