Conservative MP Philip Hammond insults mentally ill with flippant remarks on suicides

So yet again another Conservative MP hits the news for making flippant remarks.

Photo: Getty Images

This time it is Philip Hammond MP who during an interview, suggested that the train service he used from Surrey to London was:

"pretty reliable, unless somebody jumps off the platform at Wimbledon, which happens with monotonous regularity."

In the Daily Telegraph, Dr Peter Byrne, from The Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:

"There was very little mention of mental health in the Government spending review and it is a pity to hear these kinds of views come through in such ill-considered remarks.

"There is nothing inconsiderate or amusing about people taking their own lives."

I think the attack on Philip Hammond should actually come from closer to home though.

Only in June this year one of Philip Hammond's Conservative colleagues, David Ruffley MP jumped in front of a train at Victoria Station, thankfully he survived and is now back at work.

Thank goodness for Ruffley that he wasn't at Wimbledon Station otherwise he would not have got any sympathy from Hammond, just a whinge about the delay he had caused.

Seriously, MPs and others need to think clearly before they open their mouth and make flippant comments - or as my Mum used to say - engage brain before putting mouth into gear.

Was David Ruffley MPs action a shout for help?

On Thursday evening David Ruffley MP jumped in front of a Gatwick Express train at London Victoria Station during the rush hour. Incredibly, the train passed right over him and miraculously he also missed the live electric rail.

Following the incident, where the train was backed up and David pulled from the track he was then taken to St. Thomas's Hospital for checks.

David Ruffley has been the Conservative MP for Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, since 1997.
A British Transport Police source told The Sun:

"It was not believed to be an accident. Witnesses said he deliberately tried to jump in front of the train. At this stage it appears to have been a half-hearted attempt to kill himself.

If this was as appears a suicide attempt then the Conservative Party and his family must ensure he gets all the help he needs to get him through this extremely difficult time.

There are many organisations who can help.

Let's hope David has a speedy recovery.