Philip Hammond accused of sexism after telling Labour MP not to be 'hysterical'
The word hysteria has a gendered history
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been accused of sexism after telling a woman Labour MP not to be “hysterical”.
Mary Creagh asked Philip Hammond about the effect of Brexit on British businesses with bases in Ireland.
Labour MPs heckled Mr Hammond after he urged Ms Creagh “not to be hysterical about these things”.
Ms Creagh, who represents Wakefield, raised a point of order with the Speaker John Bercow following the episode.
“In response to my recent Treasury question, the Chancellor of the Exchequer accused me of being hysterical.
“Can we have a ruling from you as to whether this sort of sexist language used to diminish women who make a perfectly reasonable point - that is the sort of language that would not be used had I been man.
“My question on the registration of companies in Ireland had nothing to do with the condition of my womb travelling to my head, as is the traditional hysterics rhetoric.
“I expect that sort of language from the sketch writers of the Daily Mail, not from the Chancellor of the Exchequer.”
Mr Hammond replied: “I did not, of course, accuse (Ms Creagh) of being hysterical - I urged her not to be hysterical.
“If my comments have caused (Ms Creagh) any offence, I of course withdraw them unreservedly.”
Mr Bercow said that there was “difference between order and taste” and said that “people will have their own view about taste”.
The word hysteria derived from the Greek word for uterus, hystera. In previous centuries hysteria was a common medical diagnosis applied to women.
Now widely discredited, its symptoms supposedly included irritability or a tendency to cause trouble
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments