Ruling conservative MP suspended for using racist expression

A ruling Conservative Party lawmaker in Britain has been suspended for using a racist expression during a discussionon Brexit to describe the prospect of the UK leaving the European Union without a deal.
Anne Marie Morris, the MP for Newton Abbot, used the N- word at an event. She however, told the BBC "the comment was totally unintentional" and apologised unreservedly for any offence caused.
She later confirmed she had had the whip withdrawn.
Announcing the suspension, Prime Minister Theresa May said she was "shocked" by the "completely unacceptable" language.
"I immediately asked the chief whip to suspend the party whip," she said in a statement.

Morris was discussing the impact of Brexit on the UK's financial services industry at the event organised by the Politeia think tank, which was attended by other MPs.

Suggesting that just 7 per cent of financial services would be affected by Brexit, she reportedly said, "Now I am sure there will be many people who will challenge that but my response and my request is look at the detail - it isn't all doom and gloom."
"Now we get to the real nigger in the woodpile, which is in two years what happens if there is no deal," she went on.

The phrase originated in the American Deep South in the mid-19th century and is thought to have referred to slaves having to conceal themselves as they sought to flee north and secure their freedom.
It was subsequently used in the 20th century - including by a number of leading novelists - as a metaphor to describe a hidden fact or problem.