Cabinet minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan is accused of stoking racial tension after circulating an anti-Chinese jibe to Tory MPs.
The International Development Secretary, 51 – tasked with delivering £13.4billion in overseas aid – sent it to a WhatsApp group which was discussing concerns that China is exploiting the coronavirus pandemic.
A disgusted MP forwarded a screenshot to the Sunday Mirror, saying: “This should cost the minister her job. It’s an appalling example of old-fashioned stereotypes.”
The first British Chinese woman MP, Labour ’s Sarah Owen, 37, called it “totally inappropriate”, saying such messages fan flames sparked by US President Donald Trump, who accuses China of causing the pandemic.
She said: “If Anne-Marie Trevelyan doesn’t understand why this sort of humour was left in the 1970s, I would be happy to explain it to her.
“In recent weeks we’ve seen East Asians spat at, beaten up, verbally attacked and had their businesses targeted.”
The message shows a split fortune cookie that says: “You not have coronavirus.”
It is captioned: “Just received my Covid-19 rapid test kit from China. Soooooo relieved!”
She adds “Just for Bob” – Bob Seely, the MP campaign-ing against Chinese tech giant Huawei supplying 5G network kit. He replied with a love heart and smiley face.
Mr Seely said: “It was a well-meaning joke at my expense and I didn’t think anything of it.”
China has sent 22 million pieces of PPE and 1,000 ventilators to the NHS.
Ms Trevelyan and No10 refused to comment.
