Lord Tebbit says obese should stop eating ‘rubbish’

Lord Tebbit has blamed people’s “own stupid actions” in eating “rubbish” for the rise in obesity.

The former cabinet minister, speaking at Question Time in the Lords, lashed out at those who “stuff themselves silly”.

He told peers: “People ought to know that if they stuff themselves silly with high-calorie, rubbish foods they will get fat.

“It’s their responsibility and all the forums and other nonsenses are merely trying to divorce people from the consequences of their own stupid actions.”

As some peers cheered in support of Lord Tebbit’s comments, health minister Earl Howe appeared to agree with him.

“You are absolutely right to place your finger on this central point that it is in the end up to individuals themselves to take responsibility for their own state of health,” he said.

For the Opposition, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath pointed to a national obesity forum report on Monday and said the voluntary approach may no longer be appropriate, adding: “Doesn’t the Government have to take a greater lead on this?”

Lord Howe said there were no grounds for complacency.