Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was rebuked by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle during a fiery Prime Minister's Questions after accusing Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson of being a "spiteful class warrior". The remark came amid a debate on Labour’s policy to apply VAT to private school fees.
Badenoch also claimed that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had "400 knives stuck in his back", suggesting he was betrayed by his own party. Hoyle intervened, urging MPs to "show a little bit more decorum and respect". The exchange sparked a post-session altercation between Badenoch and Phillipson, with Technology Secretary Liz Kendall reportedly calling the comments "absolutely outrageous".
Labour whips are referring the incident to the speaker, and MP Tulip Siddiq plans to raise a point of order. A Labour source said Badenoch had "disgraced herself" by attacking "the only working-class woman from the north-east of England in the cabinet". Conservative sources disputed this account, claiming Phillipson had aimed a barb at Badenoch first.
Badenoch’s spokesperson said she would not apologise, and a Conservative source insisted the party would continue opposing the "vindictive and class war tax hike". Senior Labour figures, including David Lammy and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, defended Phillipson, highlighting the government's record on state-schooled cabinet ministers.
