Digby Jones
(Picture: Getty Images/ Christopher Furlong / Staff)Former politician Digby Jones has been roundly criticised after he mocked BBC Olympics broadcaster Alex Scott’s accent.
Writing on Twitter, Jones - who previously acted as Minister of State for Trade and Investment and retired from the House of Lords last year - sparked criticism after he claimed she “spoils” her presenting with her accent and claimed she needed “elocution lessons”.
He wrote: “Enough! I can’t stand it anymore! Alex Scott spoils a good presentational job on the BBC Olympics Team with her very noticeable inability to pronounce her ‘g’s at the end of a word. Competitors are NOT taking part, Alex, in the fencin, rowin, boxin, kayakin, weightliftin & swimmin.”
He added: “She’s hot on the heels of Beth Rigby at Sky the Home Secretary for God’s sake! Can’t someone give these people elocution lessons? I fear that it may be aped by youngsters along the lines of the use of the moronic interrogative originally caused by “Neighbours”; on behalf of the English Language…..Help!”
Enough! I can’t stand it anymore! Alex Scott spoils a good presentational job on the BBC Olympics Team with her very noticeable inability to pronounce her ‘g’s at the end of a word.Competitors are NOT taking part, Alex, in the fencin, rowin, boxin, kayakin, weightliftin & swimmin
— Lord Digby Jones (@Digbylj) July 30, 2021
She’s hot on the heels of Beth Rigby at Sky the Home Secretary for God’s sake! Can’t someone give these people elocution lessons? I fear that it may be aped by youngsters along the lines of the use of the moronic interrogative originally caused by “Neighbours”; on behalf of the
— Lord Digby Jones (@Digbylj) July 30, 2021
Responding to Jones, people including politician Andy Burnham and actor Eddie Marsan slammed him for his “idiocy”.
We're happy to hear you & your expertise - Lord Digby Jones can take his idiocy elsewhere! #alexscott #GreatPundit https://t.co/xMV1TO0vL7
— Rey Izain (@Izain1) July 31, 2021
Many in this country still judge people by the way they speak rather than what they say. @AlexScott has achieved the highest honours as a professional footballer & is a brilliant presenter but his Lordship has to have a dig at her East London accent https://t.co/xBwc3UsK5f
— Eddie Marsan (@eddiemarsan) July 31, 2021
The english language changes over time. He should'st wot. Nought stays the like, except, alas, digby jones
— Simon Frain (@simonfrain) July 31, 2021
I like natural, authentic accents.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) July 31, 2021
What annoys me is people putting on posh accents. https://t.co/2RtV8R9En8
Criticism from Digby Jones is a badge of honour, Alex.
— DAVE FAIRWEATHER #3.5% #FBPE #STILLEUROPEAN (@DLFairweather) July 31, 2021
Everyone else loves your accent. Keep talkin' in your own inimitable style. https://t.co/gQrlxi2bZ1
Meanwhile, others showed their support for Scott who herself responded saying:
“I’m from a working class family in East London, Poplar, Tower Hamlets & I am PROUD. Proud of the young girl who overcame obstacles, and proud of my accent! It’s me, it’s my journey, my grit.”
She added: “A quick one to any young kids who may not have a certain kind of privilege in life. Never allow judgments on your class, accent, or appearance hold you back. Use your history to write your story. Keep striving, keep shining & don’t change for anyone.
“Tweets like this just give me the energy to keep going See you tomorrow.. live on BBC baby.”
I’m from a working class family in East London, Poplar, Tower Hamlets & I am PROUD 🙌🏾
— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) July 30, 2021
Proud of the young girl who overcame obstacles, and proud of my accent!
It’s me, it’s my journey, my grit.
(1/3) 👇🏾 https://t.co/EObv88MVS0
A quick one to any young kids who may not have a certain kind of privilege in life.
— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) July 30, 2021
Never allow judgments on your class, accent, or appearance hold you back.
Use your history to write your story.
Keep striving, keep shining & don’t change for anyone 👊🏾
2/3 pic.twitter.com/XITlhtgtxg
A quick one to any young kids who may not have a certain kind of privilege in life.
— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) July 30, 2021
Never allow judgments on your class, accent, or appearance hold you back.
Use your history to write your story.
Keep striving, keep shining & don’t change for anyone 👊🏾
2/3 pic.twitter.com/XITlhtgtxg
Responding to her, Dawn Butler MP said:
Keep rising 🥰💕
— Dawn Butler MP✊🏾💙 (@DawnButlerBrent) July 31, 2021
Too right.
