James Cleverly, the new home secretary, has apologised for using 'unparliamentary language' towards Labour MP Alex Cunningham during Prime Minister's Questions. The incident occurred when Cunningham asked the prime minister about child poverty in his Stockton North constituency.
Several MPs reported hearing Cleverly say 'because it is a shithole' from the Tory benches. Labour MP Alex Cunningham raised a point of order after the Autumn Statement, naming Cleverly and stating the audio had been 'checked and checked and checked again'.
A spokesman for Cleverly initially denied the comment, saying he 'did not say that, and would not'. However, 24 hours later, an apology was issued. Cleverly claimed he had called Cunningham a 'shit MP', rather than referring to the constituency.
Cunningham described Cleverly as 'clearly unfit for his high office' following the incident. The apology marks a rare admission of unparliamentary behaviour from a senior government figure.
