Tory MP who criticised early recess plans leaves Parliament early to 'mess about in boats'

When No 10 attempted to bring recess early so that Parliament rose last Thursday rather than this Tuesday, there was widespread outrage – even on the Conservative benches. So much so that the Whips eventually reneged on the idea and scrapped the plans.

One of the most indignant Tory MPs at the time was George Freeman. Freeman took to Twitter to slam the government’s proposal as a ‘silly idea’ because ‘Parliament has important business to do’. ‘Here here’, Freeman said (presumably meaning ‘Hear Hear’):

Here Here. It was a silly idea. #sillyseason. Parliament has important business to do. https://t.co/YglDviqdT9

— George Freeman MP FRSA (@GeorgeFreemanMP) July 17, 2018

Exactly. https://t.co/TImAytHz1V

— George Freeman MP FRSA (@GeorgeFreemanMP) July 17, 2018

Only, it seems that when it comes to the ‘important business’ Parliament must do today, Freeman stops short of being around for it himself. The MP for Mid Norfolk has taken advantage of the one-line-whip and departed Westminster before the summer recess officially starts. Last night he shared a picture of his constituency – explaining that he’d ‘just arrived’ for the ‘annual week messing about in boats’.