Liam Payne condemns ‘demeaning’ treatment of female colleagues: ‘Isn’t it time we treat women with a bit more respect?’

‘So far the press have done this with every female member of my staff’

Sabrina Barr
Monday 22 October 2018 04:26 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Liam Payne has urged for women to be treated with more respect after a female member of his staff was referred to as a “mystery girl” in the press.

Last week, an article published in The Daily Mail detailed Payne arriving at a hotel in London with a so-called “mystery brunette”, implying that the One Direction singer and the woman are romantically involved.

Payne has since hit back at the way in which women are described in the media, condemning their treatment as “demeaning.”

“My team is full of talented, smart professional women,” he tweeted.

“I find it wrong that they are reduced to being linked to me romantically in the press just for simply standing next to me.

“Isn’t it time we treat women with a bit more respect?”

He continued in a second tweet, writing: “So far the press have done this with every female member of my staff.

“It’s demeaning some are in relationships and it complicates there work environment when they do this to them… I think it stops here [sic].”

A number of people have praised Payne for addressing the way in which women are insultingly referred to in the tabloids when pictured with a man.

“Thank you for speaking up. It does need to stop,” one person wrote.

“These women are hard working and part of your team. But if you’re pictured near each other, there’s [an] article about y’all being together… and that’s not true.”

“Yes! Thank you for addressing that it affects them too,” another fan commented.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

“What a mature and eloquent way of shutting down the tabloids! I am proud.”

Earlier this year, Payne and Cheryl announced that they were splitting after a two-and-a-half year relationship.

They have one son together, a one-year-old called Bear.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in