MOSCOW, October 15 (RIA Novosti) - UK Welfare Reform Minister Lord Freud has apologized for his comment that the disabled should be paid less than the minimum wage, The Guardian reported Wednesday.
"I would like to offer a full and unreserved apology. I was foolish to accept the premise of the question. To be clear, all disabled people should be paid at least the minimum wage, without exception, and I accept that it is offensive to suggest anything else," the newspaper quoted Freud as stating.
The minister's comment, which was reportedly made two weeks ago, sparked controversy at Westminster and invited a lot of criticism, especially by The Labor Party, who called for the resignation of the minister.
"He [Lord Freud] didn't just say that disabled people weren't worth the minimum wage; he went further and he said, and I quote he was looking .. and I quote whether there's something we can do if someone wants to work for £2 an hour," UK Labor Party Leader Ed Miliband told the UK parliament. "Mr Speaker, surely someone holding those views can't possibly stay in his government."
UK Prime Minister David Cameron, however, contended by saying that the comments of Freud were neither the views of the government nor the views of anyone in the government. Cameron added that the minimum wage should be paid to everyone.
