A LIB Dem politician was dropped from a Brexit debate in front of Polish students in Oxford today at the last minute due to 'negative attention' from a tweet.
Catherine Bearder, an MEP for the South East, was booked to be part of a panel discussion on the topic 'Brexit and Poland: Friends or Foes' with Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski.
Update: I’ve been told that my invitation was cancelled due to the ‘negative attention’ of my tweet. This is ridiculous @TheOxfordMail https://t.co/zth4eVSQpb
— Catherine Bearder (@catherinemep) February 16, 2019
The event is part of the Congress of Polish Student Societies in the UK and annually gathers hundreds of students from the country studying at universities in the UK to hear about issues impacting them.
But yesterday, Ms Bearder's team received an email from organisers saying they would have to cancel her appearance 'due to circumstances beyond our control'.
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She initially took to social media to call for an explanation, eventually sending a tweet to the Oxford Mail saying she had been told the decision was made due to the 'negative attention' of a post she made on Wednesday.
The Oxford Mail has since seen emails confirming this was the explanation given and organisers had 'been asked' about the tweet, but did not say by whom.
In it she wrote: "I'm debating Daniel Kawczynski MP in Oxford this Saturday in front of Polish university students studying in the UK. When I say debating, I mean trying to put the little unicorns Daniel lets free every now and then back in their stables."
I'm debating Daniel Kawczynski MP in Oxford this Saturday in front of Polish university students studying in the UK. When I say debating, I mean trying to put the little unicorns Daniel lets free every now and then back in their stables.
— Catherine Bearder (@catherinemep) February 13, 2019
Her followers were quick to point out her counterpart in the debate was not without his own 'negative attention' from tweets.
The representative for Shrewsbury, who is a member of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, had claimed the UK received no aid from America’s Marshall Plan after the Second World War, though he has now admitted that was factually inacurrate and apologised.
Britain helped to liberate half of Europe. She mortgaged herself up to eye balls in process. No Marshall Plan for us only for Germany. We gave up war reparations in 1990. We put £370 billion into EU since we joined. Watch the way ungrateful EU treats us now. We will remember.
— Daniel Kawczynski (@DKShrewsbury) February 2, 2019
The Oxford Mail has contacted the Oxford University Polish Society, which is organising the event, for comment.
Jakub Krupa, UK Correspondent for Polish Press Agency, responding to Ms Bearder's tweet said he had been told she had 'pulled out' of the debate.
The MEP has since said former Lib Dem councillor Stefan Kasprzak from Islington was asked to step in for her at the last minute.
Well to continue with the saga. Just met the nice ex LD Cllr Stefan Kasprzak from Islington at the venue in Oxford. He was asked to ‘stand in’ for me an hour before I was uninvited! Good luck Stefan. pic.twitter.com/vPCtUU87mp
— Catherine Bearder (@catherinemep) February 16, 2019
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