Tory MP who gave Boris Johnson protesters the middle finger says he is ‘standing up for himself’

The Conservative minister, who gave the middle finger to protesters in London, defended her actions by saying she had “reached the end of her strength”.

Education Secretary Andrea Jenkins made the obscene gesture to crowds outside Downing Street on Thursday but failed to apologise.

In a defiant statement released on Saturday, she said she was simply “standing up for herself”.

She wrote: “A leering crowd outside the gates insulted MPs on their way in, as is unfortunately all too common.

“After receiving an enormous amount of abuse from some of the people who have been there over the years – and also having had seven death threats in the last four years, two of which were in the last few weeks and are currently being investigated by the police – I was at my wits end you are I answered and stood up for myself.

“Why should anyone put up with this kind of treatment? I should have shown more composure, but I’m only human.”

The European Research Group member was a backbench MP when she made the gesture on Thursday but, as a long-time Johnson loyalist, has since been promoted to cabinet.

At her appointment, a fake tweeted screenshots of her actions on Thursday: “Can’t wait for you to teach our kids good manners,” they said.

Her statement came after senior Tory MP Mark Spencer, leader of the House of Commons and former chief whip, said he did not believe the gesture was “the right thing to do at all”.

Ms Jenkins asked “why should anyone put up with this kind of treatment” after making an obscene gesture at protesters

(PA archive)

Asked if it was acceptable, he told BBC Breakfast: “No, I don’t think it is, to be honest. I do not seek to condone this at all.

Mr Spencer added: ‘Andrea will have to… justify this to herself. But I understand that emotions were quite strong and they were quite raw that day. But I don’t think it was the right thing at all.

Pressed on whether Mr Jenkins should keep his new role, amid the ministerial whirlwind of the past few days, the House of Commons leader said: “That’s not my decision.”