Varadkar says he accepts apology from FG senator who described him as 'autistic' GE2020
Image: PA Wire/PA Images Image: PA Wire/PA Images TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said he accepts an apology from one of his candidates who described him as “autistic”.
“Well, you know, it’s not about me. I just think that we all need to be very aware. I’m very respectful of people who have autism, people who are on the autism spectrum and we need to understand that those terms should never be used in a pejorative way at all. I set aside two million this year for an autism awareness campaign to educate the public better about understanding . Day 14 of #GE2020 campaign and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is in Galway city where he will no doubt face questions on one of his candidates having to apologise for calling him autistic. pic.twitter.com/IIX8MReP6kThe Times, Ireland Edition, first reported the senator’s comments, which she made while canvassing in her Dublin Bay North constituency.
If I do say so, I am much more natural than he would be. I’ve been in rooms with him and he doesn’t know what to do with himself. He’s naturally shy. But he’s actually a very good politician. When contacted by The Times about her remarks, she initially denied using the word “autistic” but she was informed there was a recording. She then said she did not mean the word literally.“I unequivocally apologise and withdraw all of my remarks, as reported by TheTimes.