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Guardian columnist on spitting protesters: ‘I really don’t have a problem with it’

This week’s Tory conference made the headlines after journalists and Tory supporters attending the event were spat at and egged. With Labour MPs quick to condemn the actions of protesters in Manchester, today it fell upon the Guardian‘s Zoe Williams to come to the defence of the spitting protesters.

Speaking on the Daily Politics, Williams said that she understood why they would ‘spit and throw eggs’:

‘I think there is a kind of persistent exclusion from some voices in the debate and you cannot blame people for ultimately becoming quite angry and I really don’t have a problem with it.’

Williams then went on to explain on what point is is justifiable to throw an egg:

‘There is a very kind of deliberated you’re either in the conversation or you’re out and if you’re out of the conversation, the only way to break in is by throwing an egg and I think that’s fair enough.’

Unsurprisingly her words didn’t go down overly well with one of the journalists who was spat on.

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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