May backs Green as PMQS stand-in: ‘He’ll do a good job’

THERESA MAY last night defended her decision to allow Damian Green to stand in for her at Prime Minister’s Questions as she embarked on a trip to the Middle East to champion women’s rights. Speaking on the plane on the way to Jordan, the Prime Minister said Mr Green, who is under investigation amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women, will “do a good job”.

It came amid claims Mrs May should have chosen another minister to take her place at today’s weekly question and answer session because of the allegations against the First Secretary of State.

Asked about what her decision says about her support for victims of sexual abuse, Mrs May said: “Well the First Secretary of State has deputised for me at Prime Minister’s Questions Time before. Obviously there are considerations continuing of these issues but he is First Secretary of State, he has done PMQS before and I am sure he will do a very good job tomorrow when he does the response.”

Mr Green is being investigated by the Cabinet Secretary amid claims he made inappropriate sexual advances towards a young woman and that pornography was found on his office computer. He has previously denied claims about the pornographic material.

Mrs May landed in Jordan last night ahead of a tour of the Middle East which will take in a visit to Saudi Arabia, her second to both countries in the last year.