GRIMSBY MP Austin Mitchell, has described the row over a Tweet he posted yesterday as a "storm in a teacup".
Mr Mitchell sent the tweet during Prime Minister's Questions as the PM came under fire over Pfizer's proposed takeover of AstraZeneca.
He said: "Cameron dare not stop Pfizer because he dare not offend the US in any way. Roll up rapists."
He later tweeted that "rapaciousness" should be substituted for "rapist", but not before he came in for heavy criticism – including calls for him to be suspended.
Mr Mitchell has refused to apologise for his words, but did say he apologised for any inconvenience it had caused Ed Milliband and his Labour colleagues.
He told the Telegraph: "I say nothing.
"The people calling for me to quit are daft and are too sensitive on the issue.
"I don't want to see the takeover and that's it, it does no good to our jobs."
Conservative women's minister Nicky Morgan called on Mr Mitchell to be suspended for using "offensive words".
Claire Perry, Tory MP for the Devizes, said: "A disgusting and offensive tweet from Austin Mitchell. What will you do Harriet Harman? Roll up by-election."
Harriett Baldwin, Tory MP for West Worcestershire, added: "Thoroughly offensive tweet about rapists and USA from Labour MP Austin Mitchell. I call on Ed Miliband to withdraw the Labour whip."Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
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