'Tories don't deserve resuscitation': Nurse says 'joke' misunderstood

2022-10-06

Sacked left-wing nurse who sparked fury after fuming Tory voters ‘don’t deserve to be resuscitated’ in rant on Jeremy Vine show claims her critics ‘don’t understand JOKES’

Miranda Hughes, 46, was sacked over remarks made on Channel 5 debate show
She partly blamed critics for fallout, saying that they ‘do not understand jokes’
The mother-of-one also suggested clip from show was ‘manipulated for Twitter’

A left-wing nurse who sparked fury by suggesting Conservative voters ‘don’t deserve to be resuscitated’ has blamed the ensuing outrage on critics who ‘do not understand jokes.’

Miranda Hughes, 46, confirmed she had been sacked from her current job with a private health care provider as a result of the inflammatory remarks she made on live TV during a special debate show hosted by Jeremy Vine.

But speaking outside her £500,000 home in Odiham, Hampshire, the mother-of-one accused Channel 5 of ‘manipulating’ the clip ‘for Twitter’.

She told GB News: ‘If you say something in the media it seems to be taken and clipped for Twitter and it can be manipulated.

‘I was actually trying to defend nurses…I’ve underestimated people’s ability to actually understand a joke.’

She added that she regretted some of her previous social media posts in which she branded certain politicians c***s and called former prime minister Boris Johnson ‘murderous’ over his handling of the Covid pandemic.

Miranda Hughes, 46, confirmed she had been sacked from her current job with a private health care provider as a result of the inflammatory comments made on live TV

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline outside her £500,000 home in Odiham, Hampshire, the mother-of-one (pictured here with her husband and daughter) said: ‘I said what I said in the heat of the moment.’

Former NHS nurse Miranda made the incendiary remark about the healthcare system during a live TV debate on Channel 5 (pictured), named ‘Britain on The Brink’, on Monday night

‘I’m not happy with how I conducted myself,’ she said.

On her most recent comments she added: ‘I have lost my job and I think that was right of them to do so because it gave negative connotations of the company.’

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline earlier on Wednesday, she said she got caught up ‘in the heat of the moment.’

She said: ‘I was very angry and should not have said what I did, but I was so angry that it just got the better of me.

‘I do regret what I said and of course I would never not resuscitate anyone. I would not even know their political beliefs. I have treated people from mayors to the lowest in society.

‘I should not have said what I said. It was a ridiculous thing to say, it really was.

Photographs show nurse who said those who ‘voted Tory don’t deserve to be resuscitated by the NHS’ enjoying family trip to Disney

Exclusive by Vivek Chaudhary for MailOnline

Enjoying a cuddle with Chubakka, this is the fiery, left-wing nurse who sparked fury by declaring on live television: ‘If you voted Conservative you don’t deserve to be resuscitated by the NHS’ – on a dream family holiday to Walt Disney World in Florida.

Miranda Hughes, 46, can be seen enjoying the luxury trip with her husband Paul and their daughter as the fun-loving firebrand poses for photos with an array Disney characters.

As well as her hug with the Star Wars favourite, controversial Mrs Hughes also beamed for the camera alongside Disney favourites Tigger and Snow White.

Her husband’s Facebook page also features a photo of him dressed up as Shrek while she plays the role of Princess Fiona at a children’s birthday party.

In some of the fun-loving holiday snaps she is wearing Mickey Mouse headgear as she beams for the camera, clearly enjoying the break with her loved ones.

Ms Hughes lives with husband Paul, 49, and their daughter in Odiham, Hants.

According to reports she is lucky to be alive after undergoing a crucial liver transplant operation in 2002 following a brief but serious illness.

A 2020 article outlining her experience reveals that Ms Hughes decided to quit nursing after falling seriously ill and started using her skills to help train others on issues related to transplants at hospitals in Hampshire as part of the education and workforce development team.

Ms Hughes was diagnosed with PTSD after falling seriously ill while travelling as a 26-year-old around South East Asia.

The article on NHS Hampshire Hospital’s website, revealed that she was constantly sick, could not eat anything and suffered rapid weight loss while abroad.

The article added: ‘A lot of doctors dismissed her initially thinking she had Hepatitis A and told her to go home. Eventually, more supported diagnostics pointed to her having been bitten by a parasite, possibly in Myanmar (Burma) which is believed to be the reason why she went into subacute liver failure.’

After arriving back in Britain, she was rushed into intensive care and the underwent a liver transplant from somebody who had died in a car accident.

The article notes: ‘The birth of her daughter had a big impact on Miranda’s confidence, it was then she started sharing her story with others. She would like anyone to donate if her daughter needed it and that – alongside her personal experience – encouraged her to raise awareness of the important of sharing your organ donation decision with your loved ones.’

‘I underestimated how people will take something and run with it. Unfortunately, they are misdirecting their anger.

‘I retracted what I said immediately and driving home I just thought to myself what have I done?’

Former NHS nurse Miranda made the incendiary remark about the healthcare system during a live TV debate on Channel 5, named ‘Britain on The Brink’, on Monday night.

She was explaining to host Jeremy Vine about her decision to quit the NHS for the private sector.

‘I could not handle the emotional stress of not being able to deliver for my patients,’ she said.

‘When you sign up to be a nurse, you sign up to put the patient at the forefront of everything you do.

‘You are squeezed to the point where you cannot treat people, the way you need to treat them.

‘And it eats you up, because you are there to do a job as a compassionate person, but there are no resources.

Growing in anger as she spoke, she then said: ‘And you are told consistently on the news that care homes are being ring fenced, but it’s a lie.

‘And I am sorry but if you have voted Conservative you do not deserve to be resuscitated by the NHS.

‘I know that is harsh, I know that is harsh, but I’m looking at these gentlemen and it has made me so angry.

Asked if she meant what she said by host Jeremy Vine, she replied: ‘No, of course I would, of course I would.

‘But it is appalling the way we have been treated. All nurses have been slapped in the face.’

Her remark sparked a fierce social media backlash with calls for her to be sacked.

She was also called a ‘monster’ with her remark described as ‘disgusting’ and ‘bigoted.’

Miranda said she was contacted by her employer soon after the clip went viral and told she was being fired for breaching her contract as a rehabilitation case manager with south London-based firm HCML.

Last night the company issued a statement on Twitter, in which she said: ‘The opinions expressed by the individual are their own personal views and do not represent those of the company.

‘The company has policies which determine the permissibility of comments made by employees in the media, or on social media, and we will be investigating the extent to which the comments in question breached those policies.

‘If a breach is found to have occurred then appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.’

Speaking outside her home in Hampshire, Miranda said: ‘They called me and I had a discussion with them. In my own silliness I hadn’t read the staff handbook which stated you could not go on television.

‘It is fair what they have done as I do not want to bring anything negative to the company. I chose to work with that company as they are ethical and doing wonderful things.’

Miranda, who has worked in the nursing for over 20 years, said he would not be looking for another job in the profession.

But she also said she would not tone down her hatred for Conservatives who she claims have ruined the country.

She said: ‘I know I have been made out to be a monster, but people who know me will tell you I have vocal opinions and I am very passionate about care for patients because I lay in bed for a very, very long time and I know what it is like to be sick.’

Miranda, who said she underwent a liver transplant leading to the lengthy hospital stay, said she regrets that she has become the focus of attention rather than the problems with the NHS.

She said she has been ‘left broken’ by being unable to help people due to the state of the NHS.

‘I looked and I spoke every day to people around the country that were unable to access services. My job was to try and find them those services. And unfortunately, I was failing on a daily basis and it has broken my heart because I cannot get treatment for people.

‘I do feel I’ve been chasing this for it’s been 20 years now. And I’ve got nowhere and I’ve watched you know, something to be so proud of the NHS, watch it decline and decline further and it does upset me.’

Miranda said despite her objection to Conservatives she has never voted Labour and wants to see them ejected from power.

Former NHS nurse Miranda Hughes, 46, made the incendiary remarks about the healthcare system during a live TV debate on Channel 5 on Monday

Mrs Hughes is a former NHS nurse who lives in Hampshire and now works in the private sector

Ms Hughes (pictured), who describes herself on Twitter as ‘European. Anti-Tory. Nurse. Mum. Cat appreciator. Amdram queen. Repeat dieter and food lover’, last night claimed she was going to be sacked from her current role for breaching her company’s media guidelines

Instead, Mrs Hughes, who previously slammed Brexit as ‘absurd’ and ’embarrassing’ in another inflammatory television appearance, said she hoped a coalition Government would be formed at the 2024 election.

It comes after he inflammatory comments sparked a social media backlash, with Twitter users suggesting she should be sacked for her ‘disgusting’ jibe.

Others called for the Nursing and Midwifery Council – the national regulator for nursing – to launch an investigation into Ms Hughes, who lives in Hampshire and now works in the private sector.

Last night the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the independent regulator for nurses, and nursing associates, said it had been made aware of the comments.

A spokesperson said: ‘We’ve seen a lot of tweets about a comment made yesterday on television.

‘Our Code is clear that professionals on our register must promote professionalism and trust at all times.

‘Where concerns are raised with us we’ll always look into it and consider taking action if needed.’

Ms Hughes describes herself on Twitter as ‘European. Anti-Tory. Nurse. Mum. Cat appreciator. Amdram queen. Repeat dieter and food lover’.

She stepped down from a front line nursing role in 2020 and became a trainer at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust. The trust says she is no longer associated with them.

She lives with husband Paul, 49, and their daughter, in Odiham, Hants. According to reports she is lucky to be alive after undergoing a crucial liver transplant operation in 2002 following a brief but serious illness.

She currently works for south London-based private healthcare and rehabilitation provider, HCML, who last night issued a statement on social media (pictured)

Ms Hughes was diagnosed with PTSD after falling seriously ill while travelling as a 26-year-old around South East Asia.

The article on NHS Hampshire Hospital’s website, revealed that she was constantly sick, could not eat anything and suffered rapid weight loss while abroad.

After arriving back in Britain, she was rushed into intensive care and the underwent a liver transplant from somebody who had died in a car accident.

The article notes: ‘The birth of her daughter had a big impact on Miranda’s confidence, it was then she started sharing her story with others.

‘She would like anyone to donate if her daughter needed it and that – alongside her personal experience – encouraged her to raise awareness of the important of sharing your organ donation decision with your loved ones.’

Mr Hughes’ sacking comes following a huge social media backlash to her comments on Monday.

One person to react to her Tory jibe was former Sky and GB News presenter Colin Brazier.

He said on Twitter: ‘It doesn’t do to trot out the ‘…all it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing’ too regularly.

‘But really. Saying that Tory voters shouldn’t be resuscitated if they need to, in hospital, crosses several lines.’

David Atherton, who describes himself as a Libertarian, and a former contributor the right-wing site Breitbart, tweeted: ‘Lefty nurse Miranda Hughes said on Channel 5’s ‘Britain on the Brink’ last night that Tories ‘don’t deserve to be resuscitated.’

‘I thought ‘never kissed a Tory’ was bad enough for bigotry.’

Another to respond to the video, Scottish Conservative councillor Iain Gall, tweeted: ‘13,966,454 people voted conservative in the 2019 general election including myself.

‘No doubt this cretin has #bekind in her bio.’

It comes following a spate of criticism towards Labour politicians and activists following anti-Tory remarks.

Labour frontbencher Lucy Powell was earlier this year accused of stirring up division after posing in a T-shirt that claimed she had ‘never kissed a Tory’.

The party’s culture spokesman was told to ‘grow up’ after she was pictured wearing the T-shirt at the Manchester Pride parade.

But Labour allies suggested the row over the T-shirt, which has become popular in some Left-wing circles, was an attempt to distract people from the cost of living crisis.

Chris Clarkson, the Tory MP for Heywood and Middleton, said of the shirt: ‘Puerile, divisive and completely against the spirit of inclusion that Pride is supposed to embody. Grow up.’

Sara Britcliffe, for Hyndburn and Haslingden, added: ‘This is the problem. Creating an us v them. Quite disgusting from a shadow minister.

Ms Powell, the party’s culture spokesman, was told to ‘grow up’ after she was pictured wearing the T-shirt at the Manchester Pride parade this weekend

‘A difference of political belief should not result in hate.’

Tory MP Dehenna Davison, who came out as bisexual last year, also labelled the stunt ‘juvenile’.

A source close to Mrs Powell said last night: ‘Whilst the Conservatives are fixating over a T-shirt worn to a Pride event in Manchester this weekend – a T-shirt worn by Labour at all Prides for over a decade to much cheer from the crowds – millions of families and pensioners are worried sick about how they will pay their energy bills this winter.’

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner also faced criticism last year after referring to Conservatives as ‘scum’ during a fringe meeting at Labour’s party conference in Brighton.

She said:’We cannot get any worse than a bunch of scum, homophobic, racist, misogynistic, absolute vile, banana republic, vile, nasty, Etonian piece of scum.’

She later ‘unreservedly’ apologised for the remarks and said she had ‘reflected’ on the tone of political debate in the wake of the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in October last year and would no longer use such language.

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