Home Secretary James Cleverly Apologises For Calling Labour Politician A ‘Sh*t MP’

Home Secretary James Cleverly apologised Thursday for calling Labour’s Alex Cunningham a “shit MP” in Parliament.

The incident, which happened during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, occurred when Cunningham, also Shadow Courts Minister, raised concerns about child poverty levels in his constituency.

The comment, although difficult to discern, can be heard as politicians react to Cunningham asking “why 34 percent of children in his constituency live in poverty.”

There was much speculation over whether Cleverly’s alleged remark was aimed at the town itself, calling it a “shithole”, or whether he could be heard saying, “it’s because your a shit MP.”

In a statement reported by the Times on Thursday, the Home Secretary apologised for using “unparliamentary language” and calling Cunningham a “shit MP.” Cleverly denied calling Stockton a “shithole” and said “it is a great place.”

https://x.com/Steven_Swinford/status/1727699144041455885

The statement comes after Cleverly’s spokesperson asserted that the Home Secretary would never use such language: “He did not say that, and would not. He’s disappointed people would accuse him of doing so.”

In a statement to The Independent on Thursday Cunningham said: “That a cabinet member would have such a disgraceful and foul-mouthed attack on my community beggars belief. He is unfit for such high office.”