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Newly-elected Labour MP for Rochester and Strood, Lauren Edwards, has issued a public apology after offensive tweets she posted over a decade ago resurfaced online. The tweets, including one from 2009 containing derogatory language about Estonians, have sparked outrage and widespread condemnation.
The tweet, posted in July 2009, read: “I want these f****** Estonian r****ds out of my flat now!” It was unearthed by a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, who highlighted it with the caption, “Starmer’s ‘high quality candidates’ update.” The post quickly gained traction, being reshared over 130 times before it was deleted.
At the time of the tweet, Edwards was working as a parliamentary researcher for Barbara Keeley, the then MP for Worsley and Eccles South. Edwards, who was one of Kent’s 11 new Labour MPs elected on July 4, has also served on Medway Council since December 2021.
In response to the backlash, Edwards released a statement on X, expressing regret for her past remarks. “I have recently been made aware of a small number of tweets that I posted on Twitter from over a decade ago, which I now deeply regret. They were a significant error of judgment on my part, and I apologise wholeheartedly,” she wrote.
Edwards further acknowledged the importance of fostering community unity and pledged to use her platform as an MP to promote tolerance and respect. “Since becoming a local councillor and more recently an MP, I have seen first-hand the importance of bringing communities together and working with tolerance and respect for all in our society. I pledge to use my platform to continue that important work and dedicate myself to serving all residents of Rochester and Strood.”
The resurfaced tweet has continued to circulate, with further comments questioning the Labour Party’s stance on racism and tolerance. One user highlighted the issue by questioning whether Labour leader Keir Starmer would maintain his stance on zero tolerance for racism.
In addition to the 2009 tweet, other problematic tweets from February and April 2011 have also come to light, including one in which Edwards recounted an altercation with a homeless man and another in which she referenced a “halal Pakistani Chinese Grill place” in a dismissive tone.
Despite the controversy, Edwards has limited who can comment on her recent posts and has turned off comments on some of her tweets, further fueling discussions on social media.
As the situation develops, many are watching to see how the Labour Party and its leadership will respond to the situation and whether further actions will be taken.
