MEP criticised for 'crass' comments about Italians pinching bottoms

MEP Chris Davies

Rochdale Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies is "out of order" for making “crass” remarks about Italians pinching a woman’s bottom.

His comment came in a BBC interview discussing sexual harassment allegations against Lord Rennard, the party's former chief executive.

Mr Davies, one of Lord Rennard's most vocal supporters, told Radio 4's Westminster Hour on Sunday: "This is touching someone's leg six years ago at a meeting through clothing.

“This is the equivalent a few years ago of an Italian man pinching a woman's bottom.

“How much is this man going to have to suffer through media condemnation that comes out day after day fed by the party leadership?

“It is completely out of proportion, nonsense and outrageous."

Mr Davies said: “My remarks about Italians pinching a woman’s bottom were crass and I apologise.

“They were spur of the moment words made during an as live interview as I tried to explain that the accusations against Chris Rennard needed to be put into proportion.

“It happened also that my wife had just told me that she had been asked by a neighbour whether Chris had raped someone.

“Chris Rennard has been my friend for 36 years and I can see the pain he is going through and I reacted as a friend.

“I hope that matters can be settled by him and the complainants civilly and without a further media feeding frenzy.”

Mirella Natale, whose Italian parents moved to Rochdale over 30 years ago, said Mr Davies is making a massive generalisation that is offensive to Italians. She added: "Italian men don't pinch women's bottoms any more than any other race and for Mr Davies to single out Italians to defend his friend is out of order and not acceptable."