A comedian has spoken out about the “ableist abuse” she received following her appearance on Question Time last night.
Rosie Jones, who has cerebral palsy, said she had been abused about her “appearance” after appearing on the show alongside education secretary Nadhim Zahawi, shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy, LBC’s Nick Ferrari and NFU president Minette Batters, to discuss the most pressing issues in current affairs.
Some viewers tweeted during the show that they couldn’t “understand” her speech and that her voice was “annoying”.
Jones said she wasn’t “surprised” by the abuse but that she would continue “speaking up”.
She said: “The sad thing is that I’m not surprised at the ableist abuse I’ve received tonight regarding my appearance on Question Time.
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“It’s indicative of the country we live in right now. I will keep on speaking up, in my wonderful voice, for what I believe in.”
The sad thing is that I’m not surprised at the ableist abuse I’ve received tonight regarding my appearance on Question Time. It’s indicative of the country we live in right now. I will keep on speaking up, in my wonderful voice, for what I believe in.
— Rosie Jones (@josierones) October 8, 2021
Meanwhile, responding to the abuse, people on social media flocked to support her and call out those who thought it was acceptable to comment on her voice:
Rosie Jones was by far the most articulate panellist on #bbcqt tonight and all the gobshites on here taking the piss out of her need to have serious words with themselves.
— ilona burton (@ilonacatherine) October 7, 2021
The ableism I’m seeing on the hashtag for @bbcquestiontime surrounding Rosie Jones is horrid. Genuinely just disgusting. #bbcqt
— Zech Tyler |♿️| #WeThe15 (@zechmix) October 7, 2021
Let's say the thing that's uncomfortable to say: Rosie Jones has a speech impediment, she's aware of that, her comedy is self-deprecating. If u choose to be rude about not understanding her, that's yr issue. She has a voice& is entitled to use it. #bbcqt
— Charlotte ♥ (@charlottes1993) October 7, 2021
If you don’t understand Rosie Jones, you’ve likely got a severe case of twatitis. It can be cured via yoga, getting fresh air, not being a massive twat.
— Super Tanskiii (@supertanskiii) October 7, 2021
Thank you for your valuable contributions Rosie, I really admire how you use your platform. Sorry about the pricks.#bbcqt
Absolutely disgusting comments on here about Rosie Jones. I understood her perfectly well. Sadly, others couldn’t because of their prejudices and narrow mindedness. #BBCQT
— Elwyn Davies (@TheRealElwynD) October 7, 2021
Funny that only those that claim not to understand Rosie Jones are the ones that don't like what she said #bbcqt
— Adrian of Northumbria🟧🟥#FreeTheNorth🟧🟥 (@PrimalScreamer) October 7, 2021
Elsewhere in the show, shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy attacked the government for “not investing” in children and prioritising schemes like Eat Out to Help Out last year. The panellists also discussed the supply-chains crisis and the allegations made against Prince Andrew.
