A Nottinghamshire MP has responded to criticism after being appointed on to a committee reviewing women's rights and equality.
Lee Anderson, Ashfield's Conservative MP, will sit on the Women and Equalities Select Committee in parliament and confirmed his appointment on Thursday (May 27).
However, he received criticism for his appointment with the Mirror reporting concerns over past remarks made by the MP.
It came during his time as a Labour councillor in Ashfield, when it was alleged a comment was made about a woman on a Facebook post in 2018.
Points were also made about alleged comments made by Mr Anderson during an interview to become Labour MP, prior to his defection to the Tories.
Speaking on becoming a member of the committee, Mr Anderson says the country can "always do better" on equality but believes politicians shouldn't put people "into groups and then make them the victims".
He said: "A lot has been made about my appointment to the Women & Equalities Select Committee so here is my take on things.
"I am fed up with people being put into groups and then making them victims. We are not perfect but the last time I looked we are still a great and tolerant country.
"If you want real equality then all of us have to go on the journey together and not just pick out certain groups to tick a box, that just makes things worse.
"I hate this nonsense spouted that we are not a tolerant society, that's rubbish but we can always do better.
"My aim on the committee is to look for solutions rather than create victims."
