MP’s apology after Ashdown outburst
BRIDGEN ADDRESSES HOUSE AFTER ‘DISGRACEFUL’ COMMENT
NORTH West Leicestershire’s MP has apologised after a “disgraceful” outburst about the death of Sir Paddy Ashdown.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen shouted out during Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran’s speech as she paid tribute to her former party leader during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
She added that in Sir Paddy’s final days, he had been concerned about the direction the country was going in the run-up to Brexit.
According to Mirror Online and Hansard, Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen shouted: “From the grave!” – to which other MPs shouted “shame”. Lord Ashdown had been suffering from bladder cancer and died in December, aged 77.
Ms Moran raised what Mr Bridgen had said at the end of PMQ’s in a point of order.
She said: “During my question at the beginning, where I was expressing my sadness at the loss of Lord Ashdown and his concern for the state of where we are now, the Member for North West Leicestershire shouted loudly from a sedentary position
“from the grave”.
“I find such a comment disgraceful.”
To which MPs in the House again shouted “shame” as she raised her point. She added: “I would like to ask guidance from you, Mr Speaker, on how for example he might want to retract such a statement and also if this is becoming of the sort of conduct we should expect from members of the House.” The Speaker, John Bercow, said: “I think it was most unfortunate. What was said should not have been said.
“If the person who said it wishes to take the opportunity to apologise, then it is open to that person to do so.”
Mr Bridgen took to his feet for his own point of order, in which he apologised if he had caused any “offence”.
He said: “Mr Speaker, I will apologise for my remarks if any offence was caused to any members of the House.” Lord Ashdown, who was credited with making the Lib Dems a significant third force in politics under his leadership between 1988 and 1999, had revealed his cancer diagnosis in November.
The party announced his death last month, saying he would be remembered “as someone who made an immeasurable contribution Andrew Bridgen apologises to fellow MPs after Speaker John Bercow had offered him the opportunity
to furthering the cause of liberalism”. The North West Leicestershire MP told the Burton Mail he had “apologised unreservedly” for his “remarks” in the Chamber.
He said he felt Ms Moran was claiming that she knew what Mr Ashdown was thinking and she was therefore was “attempting to politicise his death which is what I objected to”.