Jamie Stone tells of candidate's 'horrific' ordeal as he backs International Women's Day
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Jamie Stone has told how a female parliamentary candidate gave up on a potential career in politics after being subjected to "a torrent of online abuse".
Mr Stone recalled the unnamed candidate's "horrific" experience as he gave his backing to International Women's Day 2023.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross is supporting a bill calling for action to tackle online abuse against women and girls and minority groups.
The bill was tabled by the Lib Dem MP for Edinburgh West, Christine Jardine.
It would require social media companies to publish reports detailing what they are doing to address abuse faced by women and girls. The reports would also cover the other protected characteristics in the Equality Act, including race, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Ms Jardine has called the UK government's lack of action on the issue a "dereliction of duty".
Mr Stone said: "Some years ago, I knew a female political candidate who was standing for parliament. She had all the potential to become an excellent Member of Parliament, someone who would have served all constituents to the best of her ability, regardless of their political persuasion.
"But she, like many before and after her, experienced a torrent of online abuse, so horrific that she felt she had no choice but to stand down.
"This is a huge reason why I wholeheartedly support Christine Jardine's bill. It is an outrage that the government's flagship bill covering online harms does not mention women even once.
"I very much hope that the Conservatives realise this blind spot and support Christine's bill in becoming law."
