Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth found himself in the hot seat during a heated Commons session as Conservative MPs pressed him on his family connections to former Labour leader Neil Kinnock.
The confrontation came after Ashworth, shadow paymaster general, challenged the government over political appointments to the House of Lords. Tory MPs quickly turned the tables, demanding to know whether Ashworth had lobbied for his father-in-law's peerage.
Family Ties Under Scrutiny
Conservative MP Brendan Clarke-Smith led the charge, asking pointedly: "Did the shadow minister make representations to the Lords Appointments Commission regarding his father-in-law's peerage?"
The exchange grew increasingly tense as Ashworth attempted to deflect the questions, insisting he was "not going to take lectures from the party of Liz Truss" - a reference to the former PM's controversial resignation honours list.
A History of Political Honours
Neil Kinnock, who led Labour from 1983 to 1992, was made a life peer in 2005 by then-PM Tony Blair. The veteran politician now sits in the Lords as Baron Kinnock of Bedwellty.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions over the honours system, particularly following recent scandals surrounding political appointments. Labour has pledged to abolish the House of Lords if it wins the next election, replacing it with an elected chamber.
As the political temperature rises ahead of the general election, this fiery exchange suggests honours reform will remain a contentious issue at Westminster.
