Ex-Labour MP Jared O’Mara invokes ‘teachings of Jesus’ in long-awaited first Commons address

Liz Bates

Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O’Mara, who dramatically quit the Labour party earlier this month, has given his first speech in the House of Commons – thirteen months after being elected.



The MP resigned the Labour whip after being reinstated to the party over a string of abusive social media posts.

In his maiden speech today, he called on MPs to “learn from the teachings of Jesus,” as he forgave “people who want to find that right path again after making mistakes”.

Mr O’Mara was suspended from Labour last year after a series of misogynistic and homophobic comments he made in his 20s resurfaced last October.

In posts made on a music website he referred to female fans as "sexy slags" and described gay people as "fudge packers".

He was also accused of calling a constituent an "ugly bitch" - a claim denied by the MP - and was finally reinstated by Labour last month after being given a formal warning.

Days later he dramatically quit the party telling his constituents in an open letter that he had been "made to feel like a criminal" by the party and claimed Labour did not share his "commitment to the true definition of equality and compassion".

Today he admitted he had made “mistakes” when he was young, for which “truly sorry as it hurt a lot of people”.

He said he would return to Parliament in September with “renewed vigour and an unwavering commitment to social justice,” and endeavour to be the “best MP that I can possibly be”.

He added that he was proud to be “Parliament’s very first autistic MP, as well as having cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

“This is something which fills me with immense pride and it is an honour for me to have the chance to represent our countries disabled people in addition to serving my constituents.”