'˜It's got nothing to do with her' - Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson hits back at JK Rowling tweet and labels second EU referendum threat '˜insulting'

Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson. Photo: Alan Storer

Mr Jackson, who is well-known for his blunt remarks on the social media site, said he “could not care less” what the author thinks and that “it’s got nothing to do with her.”

The episode began with eurosceptic Mr Jackson responding to a post on the EU referendum result by GQ political correspondent Rupert Myers who wrote: “I can’t get over the fact that the winning side lied about a whole bunch of stuff & yet expect us to live cheerfully with the result.”

Mr Jackson responded by saying: “Suck it up whiner.....”

Ms Rowling then posted a picture of Mr Jackson’s comment to her 7.58 million followers, adding: “Welcome to our post-referendum, anti-elitist, in-touch-with-the-people politicians.”

Asked about the author’s response, Conservative MP Mr Jackson said: “I could not care less what JK Rowling thinks. It’s got nothing to do with her.

“These people are systematically telling my constituents, 61 per cent who voted to leave, that they made a wrong decision, that they are stupid and ignorant and they should think again.

“That’s unacceptable. They fought, they campaigned and lost. The idea of a second referendum is insulting.

“There’s a campaign to de-legitimise the result which is the largest number of people voting for anything in British electoral history.

“There’s an attempt to say people who voted to leave were stupid and did not understand the issue. That’s nonsense. We need a period of humility from people who are in denial.”

Mr Jackson also dismissed criticisms aimed at the leave campaign - specifically the lack of a Brexit plan and suggestions £350 million more a week will not now be spent on the NHS.

He said: “The distinction is in a general election, two parties stand on a programme and one gets elected and implements that programme.

“In this case, the Government should prepare negotiations to leave. The leave camp is not a government in waiting.”

On the £350 million a week pledge he said: “The point is there’s £350 million that has to be allocated to the EU. It’s up to the Government now - it might spend it on the NHS, adult social care, school places.

“We will have that choice to make.”

Mr Jackson said he is waiting to see who he will back to be the next Tory leader and Prime Minister after the resignation of David Cameron, but that it would have to be someone who backed Brexit.

But while reserving judgement for now, the Peterborough MP acknowledged that Boris Johnson had shown “great courage and leadership in the referendum campaign.”

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