Bishop Auckland Tory MP Dehenna Davison has written to actor Will Smith, inviting him to speak to a parliamentary group dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of one-punch assaults.
Ms Davison, whose father Dominic was killed in such an attack when she was 13 in 2007, told Smith she was a “huge fan” of his work but said: “I was very disappointed to see you use your substantial platform not for good, but for the promotion of violence.”
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive at the Vanity Fair Oscar party during the 94th Academy Awards in Beverly Hills, California.
DANNY MOLOSHOK
She said her life was “turned upside down” by her father’s death and so when she became an MP she set up the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on One-Punch Assaults “to raise awareness about single-punch assaults, and to reinforce the message that one punch can kill”.
She invited Mr Smith to speak at one of the group’s meetings and “to hear the stories of those who have lost loved ones to a single punch”.
“We cannot change our past actions, but we can shape our futures, and we can choose to use our platforms for good,” she said.
Downing Street said “striking someone is never the answer” when asked if the PM condemned Will Smith’s actions at the Oscars.
Will Smith hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
BRIAN SNYDER
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said he had not spoken to Boris Johnson about the matter as the PM had been “speaking to leaders on Ukraine”, but added: “On this, I think the Education Secretary was entirely right this morning – obviously striking someone is never the answer.”
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) says no police report has yet been filed following an altercation at the 94th Academy Awards, during which Oscar-winner Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock.
Dehenna Davison, 28, was elected to represent Bishop Auckland in 2019, the first Tory to hold the post since the constituency's creation in 1885.
Stefan Rousseau
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards programme,” an LAPD spokesperson told the PA news agency.
“The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report.
“If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
Will Smith appeared to slap Chris Rock in the face on stage after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s haircut. Ms Pinkett Smith has alopecia.
Referring to Pinkett Smith’s hair, Rock said: “Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2.”
Smith walked up on stage and appeared to hit Rock before returning to his seat and shouting: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth.”
Rock appeared shocked and flustered as he tried to resume presenting the best documentary feature category.
He said: “That was the greatest night in the history of television.”