A Tory MP has launched a vile attack on a woman who thanked the Samaritans for helping her at Glastonbury. After political commentator and satirist Tan Smith posted a heartfelt message on Twitter, Brendan Clarke-Smith labelled her a "vile internet troll".
The MP for Bassetlaw retweeted the influencer's post and then sarcastically said: "Excuse me for playing the world’s smallest violin." As reported by the Mirror, Ms Smith - who goes by Supertanskiii on the social media platform - told how a volunteer for the suicide and mental health charity had comforted her when the festival experience briefly got too much.
She wrote: "On a personal level I’d like to say a huge thank you to the lovely man volunteering for @samaritans near the Pyramid stage. He noticed that I’d paused near their truck after Lizzo and asked if I was ok. I wasn’t, it meant the world to me. That chat made such a difference."
In another tweet, she went on to say: "I love Glasto but it’s a battle of endurance, especially for those with severe ADHD symptoms, but no hope of help due to the Tories decimating the NHS. I cried a lot, both from joy and being overwhelmed. If you’re feeling lost it can feel lonely in a huge crowd of happy people."
Ms Smith added: "He was v kind, talking for a few moments and letting it out gave me the energy to carry on. They’re overwhelmed due to NHS cuts please support them if you can. I didn’t catch his name but had a little cry on my walk back, out of gratitude that people can be so wonderful."
Ms Smith went on to thank the volunteers in the festival's welfare tent who looked after her when she fainted from heat stroke. However, bizarrely, Mr Clarke-Smith took it as an opportunity to criticise the commentator.
He wrote: "Vile Internet troll in personal issues shock. Cares little for the welfare of others however when spouting her foul-mouthed bile on twitter. Excuse me for playing the world’s smallest violin."
In response, Ms Smith said: "Here we have a Tory MP mocking a person with poor mental health. It’s not trolling to call a c*** a c***, Brendan. I built my anti Tory platforms after my friend took his own life due to Tory covid negligence and NHS cuts. You’re the reason people want to t*** Tories."
Mr Clarke-Smith then replied: "Why not try deleting your twitter account? You’ll be a lot less angry and feel a lot better about yourself."
In a separate response, which included a video, Ms Smith said: "After Brendan Clarke Smith tried to shame me for thanking the Samaritans for their support at Glastonbury I want to say: 1. Mental health difficulties are nothing to be ashamed of. Talk. 2. The Samaritans are wonderful. 3. Get registered so you can vote those Tory scumbags out."
Others also posted in support of Ms Smith. Writer Emma Kennedy said: "Tory MP berates woman thanking The Samaritans for help when she needed it. I’m speechless."
According to the BBC, more than 200,000 festival goers attended the event from June 22 to 26 at Worthy Farm, Sommerset. The dates included the Foo Fighters playing a surprise gig along with billed performances from Rick Astley, Lana Del Rey, Guns 'N' Roses and Yusuf/Cat Stevens.
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
