Academic comment was “tongue-in-cheek”: MP

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies has said his critique of academics was a tongue-in-cheek remark and was “surprised” if it “causes anyone angst”.

Mr Davies, who has 6,265 Twitter followers, tweeted earlier this week (pictured): “Personally, never thought of academics as ‘experts’. No experience of the real world.”

This followed an earlier tweet that stated: “Nothing more irritating than academics rubbishing the efforts of those operating at the sharp end, without facing up to the hard decisions.”

It drew the wrath of academics who were quick to condemn the remark with one replying: “Stephen Hawking may think he knows a lot about physics but he’s never run a small business so clearly not an “expert”.”

It is not clear what prompted Mr. Davies’s outburst but it drew hundreds of responses and the storm was picked up by the Huffington Post last night. However, it also received support with 191 followers ‘liking’ the post. It was retweeted 272 times by lunch time today (Wednesday).

But rather than explain his comments, regular social media user Mr Davies, told us: “I had forgotten about it (the tweet). I’m surprised if a tongue-in-cheek comment on Twitter causes anyone angst. I suppose MPs are on the end of real abuse every day. I suppose we are not so sensitive.”