He says he doesn't "give a toss" what the Chief Executive of Womens' Aid thinks.
In her resignation honours list, Theresa May has knighted former cricket Geoffrey Boycott along with several Tory donors.
The decision has been criticised by Womens’ Aid as Boycott has a conviction for domestic violence for assaulting his then girlfriend Margaret Moore in a French hotel.
Moore was left with a bruised forehead and blackened eye after the attack. Boycott says she got the injuries through an accidental slip and fall.
Adina Claire, co-acting chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “Celebrating a man who was convicted for assaulting his partner sends a dangerous message – that domestic abuse is not taken seriously as a crime.”
“With increasing awareness of domestic abuse, and a domestic abuse bill ready to be taken forward by government, it is extremely disappointing that a knighthood has been recommended for Geoffrey Boycott, who is a convicted perpetrator of domestic abuse.”
When Today Show presenter Martha Kearney started to put Claire’s criticism to Boycott, he interrupted her and replied (at 2.29.27):
“I don’t care a toss about her love. It’s twenty-five years ago. You can take your political nature and…do what ever you want with it. You want to talk to me about my knighthood, very nice of you to have me, but I couldn’t give a toss.”
Boycott said the French court was wrong to find him guilty of assaulting his girlfriend, falsely claiming said that in France you are presumed guilty and have to prove yourself innocent.
This is a common misconception about the French legal system, repeated by Philipine President Duterte among others, but it is not true according to a fact-check by ABS-CBN news.
Boycott said that French courts presuming guilt was one reason he voted to leave the European Union.
Boycott said it was difficult to prove your innocence in another country in a second language.
Like UK courts, French courts use translators and Boycott was represented by a French lawyer called Jean-Luc Cardona.
Boycott’s knighthood was welcomed by Tory MP Julian Lewis and the English Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison.
Theresa May has previously compared herself to Boycott, calling him “one of her cricket heroes”.
An estimated 1.3 million women and 695,000 men experienced domestic abuse in the past year, according to official statistics.
5 Responses to “May knights cricketer convicted of domestic violence”
Dave Roberts
Equally as bad is the knighthood for serial crook Simon Woolley of Operation Black Vote. He stole personally £320,000 from a non existent organisation called Black Londoners Forum. It was one of the groups exposed by Andrew Gilligan in his series of articles in the London Evening Standard which brought down Ken Livingstone. Somehow Woolley managed to keep going and avoid the sack and ingratiate himself with Teresa May who apparently approved this disgusting award.
Patrick Newman
He should be displayed in a cabinet labelled “MCP – nearly extinct”! May is reported to have praised Boycott as “he got the runs” which I am sure she got often during her calamitous premiership!
Patrick Newman
The conviction was 21 years ago but what is unacceptable is that he shows no sign of regret or rehabilitation and thoroughly patronised (“eh love”) the female radio interviewer. He should not be allowed to comment on even cricket until he shows signs of accepting his responsibility and recognising the conviction of the French court.
Dave Roberts
Simon Woolley is very quiet. Probably plotting his next financial scam.
Dave Roberts
Convicted as charged. Simon Woolley is a thief. He is, therefore, entirely fitted or the House of Lords.