x
Emma Snaith
1568125800
Geoffrey Boycott said he “couldn't give a toss, love” about the backlash over Theresa May awarding him a knighthood despite a conviction for domestic violence.
The ex-England cricketer’s comments have provoked a furious response amid calls for him to be removed from May’s resignation honours list.
Boycott was fined £5,000 and given a three-month suspended sentence in 1998 after being convicted of beating his then-girlfriend Margaret Moore in a French Riviera hotel.
When asked about the criticism over his knighthood by a leading figure in Women’s Aid, Boycott told the Today Programme on Radio 4:
I don't give a toss about her, love.
So you can take your political nature and do whatever you want with it. I couldn't give a toss.
Boycott’s knighthood was roundly condemned on Twitter
Geoffrey Boycott sure does divide people! Into those who think you shouldn’t get knighted after being convicted of… https://t.co/bn8IK8oHjq— Terri White (@Terri White) 1568097555
Arise Sir Geoffrey https://t.co/MWbiiTFXGP— Jess Phillips MP (@Jess Phillips MP) 1568097030
Within a week Geoffrey Boycott gets a knighthood and Roman Polanski wins the grand Jury Prize at Venice, Chris Brow… https://t.co/WK0FA2uFXe— Tom Neenan (@Tom Neenan) 1568099450
Boris Johnson should rescind Geoffrey Boycott's knighthood immediately. Celebrating a man convicted of assaulting… https://t.co/i34iWB0w9h— Dawn Butler MP✊🏾💙 (@Dawn Butler MP✊🏾💙) 1568119093
Sir Geoff Boycott ‘doesn’t give a toss’ what Women’s Aid says about his knighthood while having an assault convicti… https://t.co/uh3Z2jIerE— Victoria Derbyshire (@Victoria Derbyshire) 1568102301
Geoffrey Boycott, infamous domestic abuser, toured South Africa during the apartheid boycott and still talks of it… https://t.co/jZyHENCrFi— Helen the Zen 🏴 💙 (@Helen the Zen 🏴 💙) 1568096421
Some pointed out that one of the reasons Boycott supports Brexit is because he blames membership of the EU for being convicted of assault in France
Geoffrey Boycott tells #r4today that one of the reasons he supports Brexit is because he blames membership of the E… https://t.co/v8vLimPG37— Alex Andreou (@Alex Andreou) 1568102172
Did Geoffrey Boycott really just say he's a Brexiteer because a French court convicted him of assaulting his girlfriend?— Thomas Penny (@Thomas Penny) 1568100600
When asked about his conviction on the Today programme, Boycott said:
It was 25 years ago love, in a French court, she tried to blackmail me for £1m. I said no.
It's a court case in France where... you're guilty. It's one reason I don't vote to remain in Europe is you're guilty until you're proved innocent.
That's totally the opposite from England. It's very difficult to prove you're innocent.
Others said May's decision to include the ex-cricketer on her resignation honour's list did not sit well with her feminist credentials
Three-month suspended sentence plus a £5,000 fine for assaulting a girlfriend and Geoffrey Boycott’s still given a… https://t.co/CAPi3AGgXj— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin Maguire) 1568093957
Update https://t.co/ix1lzAIIff— James Felton (@James Felton) 1568102303
Adina Claire, co-acting chief executive of Women’s Aid, said:
Celebrating a man who was convicted for assaulting his partner sends a dangerous message – that domestic abuse is not taken seriously as a crime.
With increasing awareness of domestic abuse, and a domestic abuse bill ready to be taken forward by government, it is extremely disappointing that a knighthood has been recommended for Geoffrey Boycott.
More: Boris Johnson mocked after losing six Commons votes in just six days
More: Parliament's 'Black Rod' has become the internet's new favourite meme
Keep reading...Show less
Top 100
The Conversation (0)