An MP has admitted “a bit of a boob” after mistakenly sending a letter to Lord Mandelson referring to him as “Mr Mandelweasel”.
Andrew Turner, Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, wrote to the Business Secretary on official House of Commons headed paper. The letter, sent by Mr Turner’s office in his name, highlighted a constituent’s concerns about proposals for the Digital Economy Bill.
In his original complaint to Mr Turner, the constituent had branded the Labour peer “Herr Dictator Mandelweasel”.
Mr Turner’s office then inadvertently repeated the insulting Mandelweasel nickname.
The MP’s official correspondence stated: “Please find enclosed a letter from Mr [constituent’s surname] who is concerned about the ramifications of Mr Mandelweasel’s 3 strikes and disconnect policy.”
The complaint refers to proposals which could mean that users illegally sharing copyrighted files would receive three warnings before having their internet access terminated.
The letter
Business minister Stephen Timms wrote a three page reply to Mr Turner on Lord Mandelson’s behalf – and made no reference to the insult.
In a statement, Mr Turner said:
“We all make mistakes sometimes. This is obviously a bit of a boob - and I hold my hands up. Interestingly, Steve Timms, the minister who answered the letter, appears not to have noticed our error. He certainly didn’t mention it in his three page response. I know that Lord Mandelson has been called much worse in the past!”
Mr Turner’s letter, which was not signed by him, was sent in November last year but the gaffe has only just come to light. His office was today blaming a temporary worker for the embarrassing blunder.
A Department for Business Innovation and Skills spokesperson said:
“The Government is determined to support our creative industries, in particular by dealing with the problem of unlawful filesharing. The Digital Economy Bill contains proposals to tackle this problem.
“Lord Mandelson and his ministerial team are concentrating on this important issue and others facing our digital economy.
“Weasels are beyond his remit, for now at least!”
