Yahoo Finance Tory London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey criticised over comments about missing Sarah Everard
The Tory candidate for London mayor has been accused of politicising the disappearance of 33-year-old Sarah Everard.
Everard was last seen on a doorbell camera in south London on 3 March.
A police officer held over her disappearance has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Conservative Shaun Bailey tweeted on Wednesday his wife and daughter “have to live in fear” in the capital but vowed he would work to “deliver for the safety of women and girls” if he won May’s election against Labour’s Sadiq Khan.
Labour MP for Tooting Dr Rosena Allin-Khan accused Mr Bailey of “politicising an active investigation into the disappearance of a young woman”.
Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Luisa Porritt added his comments were “utterly grotesque”.
Everard is thought to have walked through Clapham Common towards her house in Brixton – a journey that should have taken around 50 minutes.
She was last captured on a doorbell camera walking along the A205 Poynders Road towards Tulse Hill around 9.30pm on 3 March.
On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said a man in his 40s and is part of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, was being questioned over suspected kidnap and murder.
Bailey’s comments were made following the officer's arrest in connection with the case, but before police said he was being held on suspicion of murder.
Bailey said: “As a father and husband it breaks me to think that my wife and daughter have to live in fear in their own city.
“It doesn’t have to be this way.
“As mayor, I‘ll ensure that we are working to deliver for the safety of women and girls in London.”
Dr Allin-Khan tweeted: "The Conservative candidate for London Mayor is politicising an active investigation into the disappearance of a young woman.
"Every thought and effort needs to be in finding Sarah and supporting her family at this very difficult time."
Porritt added: “I find it utterly grotesque that (Shaun Bailey) is politicising the disappearance of a young woman.
“Her disappearance has nothing to do with his campaign and he should apologise immediately. My thoughts are with Sarah Everard and her loved ones today.”
Labour MP Catherine West said: ” This is really not the time for cheap, political point scoring.”
The Hornsey and Wood Green MP added: “All our thoughts should be with Sarah, her family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.”
Yahoo UK has contacted Bailey for comment.
