【2019 Archives】

72 female politicians in the UK019 Archiveswritten an open letter to Meghan Markle pledging their solidarity with her as she and Prince Harry take a stand against several British media outlets.

Holly Lynch MP — Labour MP for Halifax — tweeted an image of the letter, which was signed by cross-party politicians including MPs Diane Abbott, Jess Phillips, Yvette Cooper, Margaret Hodge, among others

"As women MPs of all political persuasions, we wanted to express our solidarity with you in taking a stand against the ofter distasteful and misleading nature of the stories printed in a number of our national newspapers concerning you, your character, and your family," the letter begins. "On occasions, stories and headlines have represented an invasion of your privacy and have sought to cast aspersions about your character, without any good reasons as far as we can see."

The letter comes as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched legal action against three UK tabloid newspapers. Markle is taking legal action against the Mail on Sunday, claiming the paper unlawfully published one of her private letters. The couple are also taking legal action against theSunand Daily Mirrorover alleged phone hacking.

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In a recent interview with ITV News, Meghan and Harry both spoke about the media scrutiny they've faced and the negative impact it's having on their mental wellbeing.

The MPs' letter goes on to call the media scrutiny "outdated" and possessing "colonial undertones."

Even more concerning still, we are calling out what can only be described as outdated, colonial undertones to some of these stories. As women Members of Parliament from all backgrounds we stand with you in saying it cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.

Although we find ourselves being women in public life in a very different way to you, we share an understanding of the abuse and intimidation which is now so often used as a means of disparaging women in public office from getting on with our very important work.

The letter went on to pledge that the MPs will do what they can to "ensure that our press accept your right to privacy and show respect and that their stories reflect the truth."

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