No10 refused six occasions to apologise for Rishi Sunak telling a trans joke at PMQs whereas Brianna Ghey ’s mom was visiting the Commons.
And Mr Sunak’s press secretary mentioned seven occasions that it was “legitimate” to make the joke – regardless of cries of “shame” and “apologise” from MPs within the chamber. The Prime Minister tried to mock Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on “defining a woman” after the Commons had heard the mom of murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey was watching from the gallery.
A spokesperson for Keir Starmer mentioned: “We don’t think that the country wants or deserve a prime minister who thinks minorities are a punchbag. He should reflect on his comments and apologise.” But Mr Sunak didn’t apologise for the jibe throughout Prime Minister’s Questions.
And afterwards, at a huddle for journalists, his official spokesman and press secretary refused to take action on six events. She repeatedly refused to handle the joke itself, as an alternative trying to pivot questions again to an assault on Mr Starmer.
“I think if you look back at what the PM was saying, there was a long list of U-turns the leader of the opposition had been making,” the Press Secretary mentioned, when requested if the joke was applicable. “I don’t think those u-turns are a joke. I think it was quite serious changes in public policy. I think it’s totally legitimate to point those out.”
(
PA)
Asked why he’d chosen to deliver up trans points particularly on the despatch field, she mentioned: “Well, there are more. I admit, there could have been more.” She used the phrase “legitimate” on six additional events in response to questions in regards to the joke.
And she tried to match Mr Sunak’s joke to Keir Starmer having beforehand sworn on the despatch field whereas quoting Tory MPs. Asked whether or not the Prime Minister felt he ought to lead by instance in his phrases, language and behavior, she mentioned: “I think the Prime Minister always leads by example. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard the Prime Minister swear at the despatch box.”
She went on: “He’s talked about his sympathy for the parents of Brianna, and the terrible situation they’ve faced.” But requested if he nonetheless thought the joke was “OK”, she replied: “I think you can take his words from the chamber.”
Pressed on whether or not Mr Sunak thought it might be applicable to say he was “very very sorry”, the spokesman mentioned: “I think the PM has always been clear that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. And in the case of Brianna Ghey’s mother, in particular, he is paying tribute to the immense bravery she’s shown at an unimaginably difficult time.”