Johnson sorry for ‘sexist’ comments

Boris Johnson has apologised “unreservedly” after Speaker John Bercow accused him of making “inappropriate and frankly sexist” comments to Emily Thornberry.

The Foreign Secretary was given a dressing down after referring to his opposite number as the “Lady Baroness whatever” in an apparent reference to her husband, Sir Christopher Nugee.

Mr Bercow took exception to thecomment,tellingmrjohn- son it was not appropriate to speak in such terms.

The Speaker said: “I don’t want to be unkind or discourteous to the Foreign Secretary but I say on advice, as the clerks swivel round to me, two things.

“First of we all, we don’t name call in this chamber. Secondly, we do not address people by the titles of their spouses.

“The shadow foreign secretary has a name and it’s not Lady Something, we know what her name is and it is inappropriate and frankly sexist to speak in those terms.

“That is the end of the matter. No matter how senior a member, that parlance is not legitimate, it will not be allowed and it will be called out.”

Mr Johnson “apologised unreservedly” after the telling off, adding: “I heartily tender my apologies to [Emily Thornberry] if she was offended by what I said and I meant no harm, and I apologise unreservedly to her.”

Foreign Office minister Harriett Baldwin attempted to defend Mr Johnson, saying he did not have a “sexist bone in his body”.