Edwina Currie sparks outrage after calling plus size model Ashley Graham 'obese'

Hannah Al-Othman29 February 2016

Former MP Edwina Currie has sparked outrage by calling a plus size model "obese".

Ms Currie, 69, made the comments about size 14 model Ashley Graham, saying she was "unhealthy", and that encouraging obesity was just as dangerous as promoting a size zero ideal.

The former Conservative health minister and MP for south Derbyshire made the comments on BBC Breakfast, saying plus size models were not sending out a healthy message to women.

She said: "It seems to me that plus size models and extolling them and making it seem normal to be obese is just dangerous and unhealthy as the zero models, the very thin ones.

"I don't know who that young lady is.

Ashley Graham (Picture: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Cindy Ord/Getty Images

"Whether it's attractive or not, it's unhealthy. And what you're doing if you're that sort of size, and I'm not as slim as I should be, is you're heading for diabetes which is awful.

"You're heading for hip problems and knee problems and all the other issues."

Ms Graham, who made history by becoming the first plus size model to feature in a Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, is one of the most sought-after models in the industry.

She has encouraged women to embrace their curves when elsewhere in the fashion industry women are often pressured to be as thin as possible.

Most recently she has spoken out about the difficulties curvy women have when trying to find appropriate dresses to wear to formal events.

During an interview for E!'s Live From the Red Carpet at Sunday night's Oscars she said: ""Trying to find a dress for the Oscars, a girl my size, [with] these girls this size — I mean, it has been a whole job in itself."

Swimsuits for All

The former MP's comments did not go down well on Twitter, with users branding her comments "ridiculous" and "idiotic".

One Twitter user wrote: "A size 14 isn't obese you ridiculous woman Edwina Currie."

While another wrote: "I can't believe Edwina Currie's idiotic comments on BBC breakfast this morning about that pretty model - that woman is unbelievable!"

While in a series of tweets another user, called Lydia wrote: "Just because Ashley Graham doesn't conform to the media's 'thin ideal' ideology does not mean she is 'obese.'

"Edwina Currie calling Ashley Graham "obese" and "unhealthy" is absolutely ridiculous. Ashley has the most beautifully curvy and healthy body."

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