Watch: Debbie Abrahams grilled on double standards over Toby Young criticism

This week, Toby Young stepped down from the Office for Students over concerns his appointment had ‘become a distraction’ from the ‘vital work’ needed. His decision came following a series of historic tweets that were described as sexist.

Since then, Labour have been quick to go on the attack – asking why he was ever appointed in the first place. However, given that many supported giving Jared O’Mara – the suspended Labour MP who made a series of sexist remarks on social media – a second chance, there has been talk of hypocrisy. Happily, Andrew Neil was on hand to put this point to shadow cabinet member Debbie Abrahams on the Daily Politics:

"Why the lychmob for Toby Young,… but not for Jared O'Mara?" @afneil asks @Debbie_abrahams #bbcdp pic.twitter.com/q72CNHq6pl

— BBC Daily Politics and Sunday Politics (@daily_politics) January 10, 2018

Abrahams was particularly lost for words when Neil read out John McDonnell’s ‘lynch the b——‘ comment about Esther McVey.