Conservative Derbyshire councillor says pregnant Labour candidate will be 'too busy changing nappies' to be an MP

Councillor Jon Wright, who represents the Hallam Fields ward on Erewash Borough Council made the comments on a Facebook profile picture posted by Catherine Atkinson, who is standing for the Erewash seat.

Mrs Atkinson, of Ilkeston, posted a message describing herself as a barrister with a two-year-old son and a husband who served as a soldier in Afghanistan. She is standing against the Conservatives’ Maggie Throup, the Lib Dems’ Martin Garnett, The Green Party’s Ralph Hierons and Independent Roy Dunn.

But Councillor Wright said Mrs Atkinson would not be able do her job “whilst on maternity leave”.

He wrote: “Funny she never mentioned she was heavily pregnant?

“I wondered how she would represent the people of Erewash whilst on maternity leave?

“And if it’s no problem why hasn’t she mentioned it?

“She mentioned her two-year-old son?

“How can a woman who is just about to give birth take on a role as MP?”

In a later post, he added: “As a voter an (sic) I not entitled to wonder how a woman just about to give birth can be an effective MP?

“Its (sic) my vote and surely something so big should be discussed.

“Brexit on the horizon and she might be too busy changing nappies to be a voice for the people of Erewash.

“Seems strange to me and I’m not saying she is egotistical and in it for the money and status (sarcasm).”