As reported by the BBC News, Andrea Jenkyns has said made the gesture to crowd outside of Downing Street described as a “baying mob”
The footage had gone viral of the MP for Morley & Outwood gesturing before Boris Johnson resigned as prime minister.
Ms Jenkyns admitted she should have had more composure, but also said she is “only human” and the insults she received are “sadly all too common”.
Crowds had gathered to celebrate Mr Johnson’s departure from Downing Street.
In a statement on Twitter, Ms Jenkyns wrote: “I responded and stood up for myself. Just why should anyone have to put up with this kind of treatment.
“I have also had seven death threats in the last four years. Two of which have been in recent weeks and are currently being investigated by the police, I had reached the end of my tether”.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), believes her explanation was insufficient.
Mr Barton commented: “In my 32 years as a teacher, 15 of them as headteacher, I inevitably dealt with moments of poor behaviour and inappropriate conduct – from young people and staff.
“I have to say, ‘I’m only human’ was never good enough as an excuse from any of them for any of it”.
Mark Spencer agreed Ms Jenkyns’ actions were unacceptable. The leader of the House of Commons, said “I do understand emotions were running pretty high but I don’t think that was the right thing to do at all”.
Last week, Ms Jenkyns was appointed as parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Department for Education, as part of Johnson’s reshuffled caretaker government.
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