Dozens of female MPs pen open letter ‘in solidarity’ with Meghan Markle

Much of the UK tabloids have endlessly criticised anything and everything the Duchess of Sussex does, but over 70 women in the British parliament have publically decided to showcase their support for Meghan Markle – reinforcing that she is not alone in her struggle  

Women in British Parliament have banded together in “solidarity” with the Duchess of Sussex.  Dozens of female MPs from Parliament penned the letter, led by Holly Lynch of the Labour Party, and sent it to the Duchess on Tuesday.

“On occasions, stories and headlines have represented an invasion of your privacy and have sought to cast aspersions about your character, without any good reason,” the letter reads. “Even more concerning still, we are calling out what can only be described as outdated, colonial undertones to some of these stories.”

This comes on the back of both Prince Harry and Markle deciding enough was enough as they prepare to take a stand against “often distasteful and misleading” press with legal action.

Related: Meghan Markle sues media as Prince Harry likens her treatment to that of Princess Diana

Harry issued a statement on behalf of himself and his wife, accusing the British media of ‘bullying’ and ‘relentless propaganda’. He also said that his deepest fear was his wife falling “victim to the same powerful forces’ that his mother also faced.

In the documentary about her royal tour of southern Africa, Meghan revealed to ITV’s Tom Bradby, “I never thought that this would be easy, but I thought it would be fair and that’s the part that’s really hard to reconcile.”

She has had enough, and so have her supporters.

Women MPs from all political parties have put aside our differences to stand in solidarity with the Duchess of Sussex today and are sending her this open letter. pic.twitter.com/ytLHG5qPf4

— Holly Lynch MP (@HollyLynch5) October 29, 2019

The fact that the letter is signed by more than 70 female politicians from the United Kingdom shows that the support for Meghan is there in droves – even if certain publications would say otherwise.

“Cannot be allowed to go unchallenged”

The letter acknowledges that Markle continues to be mistreated and that as fellow women who also have a public life and responsibility, they too understand the “abuse and intimidation which is now so often used as a means of disparaging women in the public office from getting on with very important work.”

Related: ‘Not many people have asked if I’m ok’ Meghan’s emotional remarks about her vulnerability are sad but futile

Read the letter in full below:

“As women MPs of political persuasions, we wanted to express our solidarity with you in taking a stand against the often distasteful and misleading nature of the stories printed in our national newspapers concerning you, your character and your family.

On occasions, stories and headlines have represented an invasion of your privacy and have sought to cast aspersions about your character, without any good reason as far as we can see.

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 the public office from getting on with very important work.

With this in mind we expect the national media to have the integrity to know when a story is in the national interest and when it is seeking to tear a woman down for no apparent reason.

You have our assurances that we stand with you in solidarity on this.

We will use the means at our disposal to ensure that our press accept your right to privacy and show respect, and that their stories reflect the truth.”

Main photograph: @realpaulml

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