Labour MP refuses to accept Cleverly apology over alleged ‘s***hole’ remark

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But Labour MP Alex Cunningham refused to accept the apology during an feisty Commons row – insisting that he did not believe Mr Cleverly’s claim to have called him a “s*** MP”. Mr Cunningham said: “It’s extremely sad that the home secretary hasn’t the guts to admit to his appalling remark about my Stockton North constituency … and apologise to the people I have the privilege of representing.” He accused Mr Cleverly of trying to “minimise the damage to his reputation by claiming his remark was aimed at me”, adding: “It’s untrue and has been shown to be untrue.” open image in gallery James Cleverly speaks during Home Office questions on Monday Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing intervened to advise Mr Cunningham to use another word instead of “untrue”, since MPs are not supposed to call each other liars or even suggest as much. Mr Cleverly said he “would never make such comments about his constituency … I will make it absolutely clear, for the avoidance of doubt, with no ambiguity, I did not, would not.” As an opposition MP shouted “you did”, Mr Cleverly said: “Then what are you calling me, sir?” open image in gallery Labour MP Alex Cunningham refused to accept the apology At this point Mr Cleverly then said, “I know what I said”, before reiterating he rejected the accusation that he criticised Stockton North. Mr Cleverly was challenged again from the Labour benches, with Dame Eleanor saying: “This is not a debate and the matter is now closed.” Mr Cunningham, raising a further point of order, said: “I don’t actually require any apology for an insult against me because it didn’t happen.” He added: “He has not apologised to me, he’s not apologised to the people of my constituency, he has apologised for using unparliamentary language.” Dame Eleanor concluded: “ has issued an apology.