Osbourne under fire for Gordon Brown 'autistic' jibe | 24das

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Well, hey, at least the NAS has spoken against the use of *autistic* as a derrogatory label in the national press....

Click here: Osbourne under fire for Gordon Brown 'autistic' jibe | 24dash.com - Central Government

An autism charity today criticised shadow chancellor Osborne for appearing to suggest that Gordon Brown could be "faintly autistic".

Mr Osborne, who later denied suggesting Mr Brown was autistic, came under fire from the National Autistic Society after mocking the Chancellor at a Tory conference fringe event in Bournemouth.

He said Mr Brown lacked personal skills and, in a light hearted exchange, seemed to suggest his rival could be faintly autistic.

The comments came as Mr Osborne was talking about his own childhood, saying his brothers had nicknamed him "Knowledge" because he knew so many facts.

The journalist interviewing him at the event organised by the Policy Exchange and IPPR think tanks interjected that he might have been "faintly autistic".

Mr Osborne quipped: "We're not getting onto Gordon Brown yet."

The National Autistic Society said any perceived use of autism as a term to mock someone could cause "deep distress".

Carol , a director of the charity, said: "Any pejorative use of terms relating to autism can cause deep distress and hurt to people affected by the condition.

"We as a charity are keen to raise awareness in order that these terms are not used lightly by commentators.

"To use such terms as a criticism of someone's social skills only perpetuates the confusion that surrounds the condition."

The charity said there are an estimated 535,000 people across the UK who are affected by autism.

Mr Osborne later denied suggesting Mr Brown was autistic when interviewed by Sky News.

The Tatton MP said: "I didn't say that actually." He added: "I was asked if I was slightly autistic." He said he had been "merely" moving the conversation on.

Asked if he believed Mr Brown was slightly autistic, Mr Osborne said: "No absolutely not. Autism is a very serious condition.

"Do I think that Chancellor Gordon Brown needs better relations with his colleagues, let alone with the opposition front bench? Most certainly."

But someone close to Gordon Brown said the remark was "grossly offensive" and called on Mr Osborne to apologise.

The source said: "This isn't offensive to Gordon Brown but it is grossly offensive to the thousands of people affected by autism and their families that their condition should be used by Osborne as a term of political abuse and he should apologise."

Copyright Press Association 2006.