- Cleverly accused of impolite remarks.
- Denies calling Stockton-on-Tees “s***hole.”
- Language scrutiny in previous instances.
During Wednesday’s PMQs, the new home secretary was accused of making an impolite remark about the northern town. However, a source with close ties to him claims he used “unparliamentary language” to refer to an opposition member.
A source claims that James Cleverly has acknowledged labelling a Labour MP “s***” but has denied labelling Stockton-on-Tees a “s***hole.”
Opposition Response and Calls for Apology
After this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions, the home secretary’s language came under scrutiny, with claims that he made the impolite remark about the northern town in response to Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham’s query about child poverty in the region.
Mr. Cunningham informed the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, as a matter of order, that the audio had undergone “repeated checks, checks, and checks” and that the minister and the government were “reprehensible” for the remark.
The minister was accused by the Conservative mayor of Teesside, Lord Houchen, of “dragging Stockton’s name through the mud.” Calls for an apology from Mr. Cleverly continued to increase.
Additionally, the mayor criticised the “childish and unprofessional language employed by politicians in Westminster who ought to know better.”
Opposition’s Call for Formal Apology
Thursday’s business questions also addressed the matter, with Lucy Powell, the shadow leader of the House of Commons, stating, “While such foul language may be suitable for describing government policy, it is not appropriate for the illustrious town of Stockton.
A spokesperson for Mr. Cleverly denied the remark on Wednesday, stating, “He neither said nor would have said that. Individuals are dismayed that he would be accused of such an act.
However, a home secretary official admitted the minister’s “unparliamentary language” after Lord Houchen’s intervention. However, the remark did not pertain to the municipality.
The source stated, “James expressed an opinion. One MP, Alex Cunningham, was ‘a s***.’ He apologises for unparliamentary words.
“History demonstrated that he would never offer Stockton criticism,” “Having campaigned in Stockton, it is evident that it is an excellent location.”
Ms. Powell of the Labour Party stated that the given excuse “still doesn’t really wash, I’m afraid” and that Mr. Cleverly “should come to the House and apologise properly” on X, formerly Twitter.
This is not the initial instance in which Mr. Cleverly’s language has been criticised.
The home secretary was repeatedly denied the allegation that he referred to the government’s Rwanda scheme to send asylum seekers to the east African nation as “bats***” last week.
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