Tory MP Mark Francois accused of using 'crass racial slur' in Commons

A Labour MP asked the Speaker how to "discourage" the use of "racial slurs after Tory MP Mark Francois made a derogatory reference to Japanese people 24 hours previously.

Sarah Owen, the first MP of South East Asian ancestry, referred to Mr Francois' use of the word "Japs" in a defence procurement debate.

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the use of racial terms "causes offence" and reminded MPs about "choosing the words they use carefully".

8 November 2022