AMs anger at 'fat' accusation

Helen Mary Jones believes the comments are dangerous

Accusations that female politicians in the Welsh assembly are "too fat" have met with an angry reaction from AMs.

Psychologist and author Philippa Davies claimed it was hypocritical to have "a lot of very large women AMs" while the assembly is promoting anti-obesity policies.

But Plaid AM Helen Mary Jones said it was dangerous just to target women, adding that it was what politicians did, and not what they look like, that mattered.

Ms Davies, who coached Tory PM John Major and assisted MPs in Labour's successful election campaign in 1997, also suggested a weight-watching counsellor be employed at the assembly.

"There do seem to be a lot of very large women AMs and I made that observation in the light of the fact they have been championing anti-obesity policies - taking up sport and controlling our eating," she said.

"I felt it was a bit hypocritical you have vast people telling us what to do."

By making these comments she is inviting everyone to judge women in these ways Jenny Randerson, AM

Helen Mary Jones, who represents mid and west Wales, said Ms Davies was "treading on dangerous ground".

"Of course obesity can become a serious health issue," she said.

"But, by targeting the women and nobody else, I think Ms Davies is at risk of contributing to the kind of body fascism that causes eating disorders.

"I think it's what politicians do, not what they look like, that matter, and I think Ms Davies should be a little bit careful about being judgemental."

Lib Dem AM Jenny Randerson said she deplored anything which judges people by their appearance.

"By making these comments she is inviting everyone to judge women in these ways - and to assume your weight is tied to greediness," she said.

And Elin Jones, Plaid AM for Ceredigion added that if everybody in the assembly was skinny and fit, it would not be reflective of the wider community.

Fitness drive

Ms Davies' comments came just days after Sport Minister Alun Pugh launched a 20-year fitness drive.

It aims to rid Wales of couch potatoes who are costing health and social care services around £100m a year in extra costs.

Only 28% of the adult population of Wales regularly takes part in sport or active recreation, making Wales one of the least physically active parts of Europe.

An assembly spokeswoman added that weekly weight-watching check clubs for staff and Assembly members were held at the assembly.