James Cleverly has admitted to calling a Labour parliamentarian a ‘shit MP’ – but denied saying Stockton North is a ‘shithole’. The Home Secretary confessed to making the comment during a heated debate in the Commons following yesterday’s Autumn Statement.
Cleverly was overheard taking a pop at Labour’s Alex Cunningham, after the MP for Stockton North asked Rishi Sunak why child poverty was so high in his constituency. A spokesman for Cleverly immediately denied that he made the comment – but a source close to the Home Secretary has today admitted he did use a four-letter word in the chamber.
‘He (Cleverly) apologises for unparliamentary language,’ the source said. ‘As was made clear yesterday, he would never criticise Stockton. He’s campaigned in Stockton and is clear that it is a great place.’
Mr S is pleased to hear it, given that Stockton South is a Tory seat. Earlier today, Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen called on Cleverly to apologise for ‘dragging Stockton’s name through the mud’. Not
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate, free for a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.
UNLOCK ACCESS Try a month freeAlready a subscriber? Log in