THEY SAID WHAT?

“In public life, and increasingly in private conversations too, it is becoming harder and harder to conduct any political discussion, on any issue, without it descending into tribalism and rancour. British democracy has always been robust and oppositional, but a line is crossed when disagreement mutates into intimidation”

The Prime Minister. “It was when I made a joke about the Queen, it was like a crass joke on a panel show, a joke I actually regret” Comedian Jack Whitehall who says he will be more careful in

future about his jokes. “She was kind of like your grandma at Christmas dinner. You know, they don’t approve of your lifestyle or anything, but you just smile and tolerate and get through dinner because that’s the polite thing to do” Shane Jenek, pictured, winner of Celebrity Big Brother, discussing the runner-up former Tory MP

Ann Widdecombe. “If ministers are vague or divided, life for officials becomes impossible, as we can see now. Ministerial collective responsibility really matters. The Prime Minister’s MPs will back her, because we are overwhelmingly at one with the majority of the British people who now want a clean Brexit and an end to the present uncertainty. It is time for all her ministers to back her too and to end the confusion they are fomenting in government” Senior Tory back-bencher

Bernard Jenkin. “The EU will not work, it has not worked, it is increasingly unloved by the people of Europe” Nigel Farage, former Ukip leader.