Tory MP Natalie Elphicke is forced into groveling climbdown after saying England ace Marcus Rashford should have practised taking penalties instead of 'playing politics' by campaigning for free school meals for poor pupils in lockdown
A Tory backbencher was forced to backtrack today after a horrific own goal attack on England star Marcus Rashford over his missed Euro 2020 penalty.
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke suggested the Manchester United star should have practised spot kicks instead of campaigning for free meals for deprived schoolchildren during lockdown.
She made the remark in a Tory MP WhatsApp group after the Three Lions' Euro 2020 defeat on penalties to Italy at Wembley last night.
Manchester United striker Rashford was one of three England players to miss in the deciding shoot-out in the Three Lions' first major final in 55 years.
In a message first revealed by GB News, Mrs Elphicke told other Tories: 'They lost - would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics.'
But today, after her comments were leaked and widely criticised she took to Twitter to heap praise on the team.
'Last night I shared the frustration and heartbreak of millions of England fans,' she said.
'The team gave their all. Congratulations and onwards to the World Cup!'
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke suggested the Manchester United star should have practised spot kicks instead of campaigning for free meals for deprived schoolchildren during lockdown.
In a message first revealed by GB News, Mrs Elphicke told other Tories: 'They lost - would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics.'
But today, after her comments were leaked and widely criticised she took to Twitter to heap praise on the team.
Labour's Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols responded, saying: 'When Natalie Elphicke has fed as many hungry children as Marcus Rashford, or done as much to inspire the nation, then she can slag him off all she likes.
'But until then, pipe down and wind your neck in.'
Greater Manchester MP Barbara Keeley added: 'Marcus Rashford campaigned for millions of children last year ensuring they were not left hungry by this Tory Govt during the pandemic.
'He is a great ambassador for our country on & off the pitch. People in Greater Manchester & across the country are very proud of him.'
One Tory MP told MailOnline there were about 200 MPs on the group Ms Elphicke posted to.
'It might have been something that many people might have been thinking, but probably best not to go there. It is pretty depressing that we can't have conversations among ourselves,' they said.
Ms Elphicke, a 50 year-old mother-of-two, has been MP for Dover since 2019, when she replaced her now ex-husband, Charlie, who was jailed last year for three sex attacks on two women.
Rashford was made an MBE in October last year in recognition of his work in feeding underprivileged children, which included forcing Boris Johnson into a U-turn over providing free school meal vouchers for 1.3million kids during the summer holidays.
Rashford was made an MBE in October last year in recognition of his work in feeding underprivileged children, which included forcing Boris Johnson into a U-turn over providing free school meal vouchers for 1.3million kids during the summer holidays.
England's players are spending their final hours at the team's hotel today and looked devastated as they returned from Wembley after their Euro 2020 heartbreak last night as millions of supporters nurse sore heads and broken hearts and declared: 'The whole country is hungover'.
The final with Italy finished 1-1 after extra time, but three missed spot-kicks by Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka handed the trophy to the Azzurri and saw the Three Lions miss out on their first major tournament victory since 1966.
Fans are still coming to terms with the dramatic end to the match which was watched by around 70,000 in the crowd at Wembley, with roads and railways deserted as people stayed home today.
A total of 31.1million people watched the match at home - the third highest TV audience in British history - while millions more watched in pubs, bars and fan parks across the country.
Following the country's biggest football match for 55 years, the England team captained by Harry Kane were in tears on the pitch, but their manager Gareth Southgate took responsibility for the defeat. He said: 'That is my responsibility. I chose the guys to take the kicks. I told the players that nobody is on their own in that situation. We win and lose together as a team. They have been tight throughout and that's how it needs to stay'.
Harry Kane said: 'The boys couldn't have given more. Of course it's going to hurt for a while but we are on the right track and hopefully we can progress from this next year.'
The defeat led to horrific abuse of the three black players who missed penalties - with Scotland Yard now investigating after morons bombarded them with vile messages on Twitter and Instagram containing racist tropes including banana and monkey emojis with one Savills estate agent worker, now expected to lose his job, declaring: 'N****rs ruined it for us'.
Boris Johnson and Prince William are among those to condemn the racists and urge police to arrest them and ensure they are prosecuted.