Sussex PCC apologises for describing EU referendum result as a '˜modern peasants' revolt'

Sussex's Police and Crime Commissioner has apologised for describing the EU referendum result as a '˜modern peasants' revolt' on Twitter on Friday morning.
Sussex PCC Katy BourneSussex PCC Katy Bourne
Sussex PCC Katy Bourne

The leave campaign has clinched victory and nine areas in Sussex backed Brexit, compared to four voting in favour of remaining in the EU.

Sussex PCC Katy Bourne described the result as a ‘modern peasants’ revolt’ and when questioned on the tweet, she said: “I’m a history major so it’s meant in that context i.e. the people have spoken, democracy and all that.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lewes MP Maria Caulfield, a supporter of the Vote Leave campaign, replied: “This peasant is very happy.”

The original tweet by Mrs Bourne was deleted within several minutes of being posted, and she said it was ‘mortifying’ to think that it had offended anyone, as it was meant ‘purely as a remark about a historic event that happened, also known as the Great Rising’.

She had not meant for it to be derogatory but after it was pointed out to her that the phrase could be misunderstood, she immediately took the tweet down.

Mrs Bourne added: “I never wanted to cause any distress at all but looking at it I do understand why people could take it in a different context.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.