Barry sorry over sexist ‘flounce’ jibe to top Tory
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The Labour backbencher was accused of sexism last month after a tense exchange in which he claimed Mrs Leadsom, a Tory minister, “flounced” out of the Commons chamber.
The accusation arose after Mrs Leadsom’s peers said the word would never be used about a man.
But in a move of humility, the Huddersfield MP stood and apologised to her in Parliament on Thursday as it was revealed he had had a dressing down – from his own daughters.
On his feet in the House of Commons, Mr Sheerman said: “This is the first opportunity I have had to apologise to the Leader of the House. The last time we were together in this room, I said she ‘flounced.’
“I didn’t realised that was a disrespectful or sexist term. I used it and I apologise profoundly.”
But Mrs Leadsom saw the funny side, showing off her ‘flounce’ as MPs laughed from the benches.
She replied: “Well I’m really grateful to the honourable gentleman for his apology, which is unnecessary. He’d already apologised to me privately.”
Mrs Leadsom added: “I have, Mr Speaker, been practising my flounce, I’m not sure I’ve perfected it yet.” She then threw her arm dramatically over her head.
She went on: “I wasn’t quite sure what a flounce was, but anyway. I know his daughters told him off so I’d just like to put that on the record.
“We know a bit of sexism when we see it coming!”
The original comment was made last month, when Mr Sheerman accused Mrs Leadsom of being ‘disrespectful’ in Business Questions.
The MP said: “In all my time here I have never seen a Leader of the House act with such disrespect and then flounce out of the chamber, and her officials follow out in that way, showing their dislike for something an MP had just said.”