A red-faced north-east Labour MP has denied making a sexist remark after suggesting the role of fisheries minister was not a “job for a woman”.
Aberdeen North’s Frank Doran was speaking during a Commons debate on proposed European quota cuts yesterday.
Recalling previous occasions when fishing ministers have come under pressure in the chamber, he said: “I’m trying to remember if we’ve ever had a female fisheries minister, I don’t think we have.”
Conservative Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) intervened to tell him: “We haven’t but we have had former female secretaries of state.”
Mr Doran replied: “You’re absolutely right but no dedicated fisheries ministers.
“I’m not sure it is a job for a woman.”
Amid gasps from fellow MPs, Mr Doran said: “That was not a sexist remark. I know the fishing industry very well.”
Afterwards the Labour veteran said he had been thinking of an occasion when someone tried to dump a barrel of fish on the head of an EC fisheries minister during a visit to the north-east.
He admitted his comment was flippant but insisted it was not meant to be sexist.
“It was a joke across the chamber between a Labour and a Tory MP,” Mr Doran said.
“Obviously it is embarrassing – I plead guilty.
“It was a ill-judged comment on my part but it was certainly was not intended to be a sexist in any way shape or form.”
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said he had known Mr Doran for at least seven years and could vouch for him on this score.
“I don’t think Frank is sexist for a minute,” he said.
“I would make the assumption that what Frank was saying – and I know Frank well – was that the job is extremely tough and demanding.
“That is it. And we have seen some extremely tough and demanding women in other ministerial jobs.”
During yesterday’s debate, another Labour MP, Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby), called on ministers to “go and fight and protect” the UK’s interests at a EU Fisheries Council meeting next week.
He suggested Scotland’s ministers and its government had better protected the industry north of the border, but warned the prospects were gloomy for the wider industry.