Rudd apologises for calling Diane Abbott a ‘coloured woman’

Updated
Amber Rudd speech
Amber Rudd speech

Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has apologised to Diane Abbott after describing her as a "coloured woman".

Ms Abbott, the shadow home secretary, said the term "coloured" was "outdated" and "offensive", and was a "revealing choice of words".

Ms Rudd, who made the comment in an interview with BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine about online abuse suffered by women, said she was "mortified" by her "clumsy" use of language.

"Mortified at my clumsy language and sorry to @HackneyAbbott," she wrote on Twitter.

"My point stands: that no-one should suffer abuse because of their race or gender. "

In response to a question about internet trolling, Ms Rudd said: "It definitely is worse if you're a woman, and it's worst of all if you're a coloured woman.

"I know that Diane Abbott gets a huge amount of abuse and I think that's something we need to continue to call out."

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