James Cleverly admits calling MP ‘s***’ – but denies calling Stockton-on-Tees a ‘s***hole’, source says
James Cleverly has admitted to calling a Labour MP “s***” – but denied describing Stockton-on-Tees as a “s***hole”, a source has said.
The home secretary came under scrutiny for his language after this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions, with claims he made the rude remark about the northern town following a question from Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham regarding child poverty in the area.
Making a point of order on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Cunningham told the Commons the audio had been “checked, checked, and checked again” – and the comment brought “shame” on the minister and the government.
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Calls continued to grow for an apology from Mr Cleverly, with the Tory mayor of Teesside Lord Houchen joining in to accuse the minister of “dragging Stockton’s name through the mud”.
The mayor also criticised the “childish and unprofessional language used by Westminster politicians who should know better”.
The issue was raised during business questions on Thursday as well, with shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell saying: “This sort of foul language may be accurate when describing government policy, but it is not for the great town of Stockton.”
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On Wednesday, a spokesman for Mr Cleverly denied he made the remark, saying: “He did not say that, and would not. He’s disappointed people would accuse him of doing so.”
But following the intervention from Lord Houchen, a source close to the home secretary admitted the minister had used “unparliamentary language” – though it wasn’t directed at the town.
The source told Sky News: “James made a comment. He called Alex Cunningham a s*** MP. He apologises for unparliamentary language.
“As was made clear yesterday, he would never criticise Stockton. He’s campaigned in Stockton and is clear that it is a great place.”
Labour’s Ms Powell said the excuse given “still doesn’t really wash I’m afraid”, and posted on X – formerly known as Twitter – that Mr Cleverly “should come to the House and apologise properly”.
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A spokeswoman for Rishi Sunak said the prime minister stood by the home secretary, despite the row.
Asked whether Mr Cleverly retained Mr Sunak’s full confidence, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “He does, yes. I’ve also seen that the home secretary’s team has clarified and provided an apology for using unparliamentary language.
“We don’t have anything further to add to that.”
It is not the first time Mr Cleverly’s language has been brought into question.
Last week, the home secretary was accused of calling the government’s Rwanda scheme to send asylum seekers to the east African nation “bats***” – a claim he repeatedly refused to deny.
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Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Kenya is preparing legislation to regulate cryptocurrencies with a draft proposal open for public feedback until Jan. 24.
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