Autism Campaign says George Osborne's remarks on Autism has caused distress

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK has criticised Shadow Chancellor George Osborne for describing Chancellor Gordon Brown for being 'faintly autistic.'

These remarks were made at a fringe meeting at the Conservative Party Conference in Bournemouth.

Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK said: 'On several occasions we have had people using the term autistic to refer to Gordon Brown. This is causing great distress among parents, carers and people with autism. George Osborne should be highlighting the desperate plight of the 535,000 people with autism and the 90,000 children with autism who have to struggle without public services instead of using the word autistic inappropriately. Autism is a life long disability and we go through a great deal of suffering without access to public services, Mr. Osborne should apologise to people with autism,' he said.

Osborne's colleague Lee Scott, the leading Conservative parliamentarian for Ilford North has given his wholehearted support and pledged to help the Autism Awareness Campaign UK, on the eve of the Conservative Party Conference in Bournemouth.

Mr. Scott plans to put in for a major debate on autism in the House of Commons. Ivan Corea who runs the Autism Awareness Campaign UK said 'I urge parliamentarians of all parties to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.'

The Autism Awareness Campaign recently presented autism awareness ribbons to former Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy and Baroness Usha Prashar, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society. The numbers of children with autism are rising across the UK - even in Mr. Scott's constituency in Redbridge.
Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK urged Prime Minister Tony Blair to embark on a 10 year building program of specialist autism schools given that numbers will rise during this time. He urged training for staff in primary and secondary schools; for a new qualification for young people with autism who leave school; access to further education and higher education; and a compact with employers to provide labour market opportunities for people with autism. 'Now is the time for action on autism,' he said.

Meanwhile the Chief Guest at the Conservative Party Conference in Bournemouth, Senator John McCain has championed the cause of autism in his home state of Arizona. Republican Senator McCain has even co-sponsored important legislation on autism.

ENDS

Press release issued: October 2, 2006