James Cleverly says he used a swearword to refer to a Labour MP, not to describe Stockton North.
Image source, PA MediaThe home secretary has admitted he used “unparliamentary” language to describe a Labour MP, a close source has said.
James Cleverly had denied claims he called the Stockton North constituency a swearword in response to a question in the Commons from Alex Cunningham.
The source said on Thursday: “James made a comment. He called Alex Cunningham a shit MP. He apologises for unparliamentary language.”
Mr Cunningham said it was “simply not true”, adding he did not “believe” it.
He had alleged the swearword was used during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
Mr Cunningham had asked: “Why are 34% of children in my constituency living in poverty?”
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Making a point of order in the Commons later that day, he said: “Before the prime minister answered, the home secretary chose to add in his pennyworth.
“He was seen and heard to say ‘because it’s a shithole’.
“I know he is denying being the culprit, but the audio is clear and has been checked, and checked, and checked again.”
Conservative Party chairman and Durham North West MP Richard Holden had earlier said he was “sure it wasn’t said by any Conservative MP”.
‘I don’t believe it’
The source close to Mr Cleverly added: “As was made clear yesterday, he would never criticise Stockton. He’s campaigned in Stockton and is clear that it is a great place.”
Mr Cunningham said: “This is simply not true. I don’t believe it. Two syllables were clearly heard.
“‘MP’ doesn’t fit. He’s moved today but needs to go the full distance and admit that he said the words.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Mr Cunningham said the Home Secretary had a “responsibility to own up for what he actually said, my colleagues saw and heard it”.
It was a “terrible slur on my community” and Mr Cleverly was not “fit for such high office”, he added.
A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he continued to have confidence in Mr Cleverly as his team “had clarified and provided an apology for using unparliamentary language”.
“We don’t have anything further to add to that,” she added.
‘Made a mistake’
Speaking to BBC Newscast, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “You just couldn’t make it up could you.
“He’s not been Home Secretary for more than two weeks and he’s already managed to pick a fight with a northern town and been insulting towards a fellow MP.”
Lord Houchen, the Conservative Tees Valley Mayor, which includes Stockton, said the speculation had “dragged Stockton’s name through the mud”, which was “unacceptable”.
“I’m pleased James Cleverly has apologised for using unparliamentary language,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“We’re all human and he’s a good guy who made a mistake,” he added.
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