A SPOKESWOMAN for Harry Cohen has defended the MP's call for a public health warning about the perils of kissing during the swine flu epidemic.
The Leyton MP was ridiculed by his political opponents after asking the Government to issue a warning about kissing and the “two-cheek greeting” as it spreads swine flu.
But in a statement issued by his office this evening, a spokeswoman for Mr Cohen hit back at his critics.
She said: “They are obviously ignorant of ethnic minority customs and customs in other countries such as eastern European countries, France and in Abu Dhabi.
“Harry has been watching on the television and they have been issuing public warnings about not kissing and that is why Harry recommended that the Government here do the same.
“The Government has been concentrating on washing hands but kissing is a way through which germs can become effective.”
The spokeswoman said that Mr Cohen is not saying that people should not kiss, but merely that they should “be careful”.
Mr Cohen's call for a “kissing ban” had been ridiculed by Ed Northover, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Leyton, and Farooq Quereshi, Lib Dem candidate.
Mr Cohen's suggestion was turned down by the Government.
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