Guto Bebb, who is a Tory MP for Aberconwy, North Wales, told Dylan Barlow’ 27, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, not to comment on public affairs issues due to his mental illness.
The Mirror claims that the MP dismissed Asperger’s syndrome as a “sob story” in a series of emails to Mr Barlow, who had raised issues about foreign matters.
Guto Bebb wrote:
“If you have mental health issues then you should possibly refrain from commenting in the public domain since it might create problems for you.”
Mr Barlow replied:
“We live in an age of free speech and for a politician to believe otherwise, goes to show the problems we face in our daily struggles.”
Mary Wimbury who is Labour’s general election candidate for Aberconwy, said that Guto Bebb’s comments were inexcusable.
“This lack of courtesy and respect towards constituents is clearly an inappropriate way for any MP to behave – he should think long and hard about his future behaviour.”
Mr Bebb denies that his his comments were derogatory.
The original article by Jason Beattle in the Mirror can be read here