Angela Rayner apologises for Tory 'scum' comments

Angela Rayner has apologised for her Tory "scum" comments at an event at the Labour Party conference.

In a statement, the Labour Deputy Leader said she had reflected on her language during a recent period of bereavement leave after losing a close loved one, and "unreservedly apologised" for her remarks.

She added that she would be more careful about the language she uses in future.

She said: "I was angry about where our country is headed and policies that have made life harder for so many people I represent.

"But I would like to unreservedly apologise for the language I used, and I would not use it again.

Labour Party deputy leader Angela Rayner during the Labour Party conference in Brighton.
Gareth Fuller

"I will continue to speak my mind, stand up for Labour values and hold the government to account. But in the future I will be more careful about how I do that and in the language that I choose."

She continued: "All of us in positions of leadership have a responsibility for our language and rhetoric, whether towards political opponents or anyone else in society, especially those already most vulnerable.

"As Deputy Leader of the Labour Party I take this responsibility with the utmost seriousness and I am sure that politicians from all parties, the media and others with a prominent role in our public life will also reflect on this shared responsibility."