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Jeremy Corbyn denies 'stupid woman' jibe at Theresa May Jeremy Corbyn denies 'stupid woman' jibe at Theresa May
(35 minutes later)
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is facing calls to apologise for apparently calling Theresa May a "stupid woman" during Prime Minister's Questions. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has denied calling Theresa May a "stupid woman" during Prime Minister's Questions after facing calls to apologise.
The prime minister was mocking Mr Corbyn during heated exchanges, telling him to "look behind you" when he was caught on camera muttering words. He told MPs he had said "stupid people" and that he was "opposed to the use of sexist and misogynist language in any form".
Conservative MPs called on the Labour leader to be ordered to apologise. Commons Speaker John Bercow said he had not seen the alleged incidents and all MPs had to be taken at their word.
Speaker John Bercow said he had not seen the alleged incident and so could not "immediately" rule on it. But Tory MPs said they did not believe Mr Corbyn and said he must apologise.
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: "He did not call her a stupid woman and so I don't think there's any basis for an apology. As I understand it, he said 'stupid people'." Mr Corbyn told the Commons: "During Prime Minister's question time today, I referred to those who I believe were seeking to turn a debate about the national crisis facing our country into a pantomime as 'stupid people'.
The spokesman said Mr Corbyn was referring generally to MPs who were not taking the issues being debated seriously. "Mr Speaker I did not use the words 'stupid woman' about the Prime Minister or anyone else, and am completely opposed to the use of sexist or misogynist language in absolutely any form at all.
Asked about lip readers saying that Mr Corbyn had said "stupid woman", he added: "Lip reading is open to doubt - he is adamant he didn't say it." "I'm happy to place that on the record at your request this afternoon."
The Labour leader had "no time for misogynistic statements", the spokesman said, after some Conservatives accused Mr Corbyn of being sexist. Tory MP Rachel Maclean responded to his statement by saying: "Read my lips - I don't believe him."
Asked whether Mr Corbyn should apologise, the PM's offical spokesman said "that's one for him". Mr Bercow was separately accused by Tory MP Vicky Ford of calling her a "stupid woman" on an earlier occasion, something immediately denied by Mr Bercow.
The Speaker said he had reviewed television footage of Mr Corbyn's alleged insult and it was "easy to see why the leader of the opposition's words might be construed as 'stupid woman'."
He had also consulted a "lip speaker", who are employed to interpret lip movements in court rooms and other settings when a lip reader can't get close enough, who had lent weight to that view but had not been conclusive.
"Nobody can be 100% certain, that includes professional lip readers. But I will naturally take and would be expected to take the word of any right honourable or honourable member.
"It's reasonable to expect the House to do the same."
He added that Mr Corbyn had been "seated at the time and not addressing the House" so his words had not been "on the record".
Mr Corbyn had clashed with the prime minister over her Brexit deal, calling her decision last week to delay a vote on it a "deeply cynical manoeuvre" from a "failing" prime minister.Mr Corbyn had clashed with the prime minister over her Brexit deal, calling her decision last week to delay a vote on it a "deeply cynical manoeuvre" from a "failing" prime minister.
Mrs May hit back at Mr Corbyn, saying he had not tabled his promised no-confidence motion, and had then tabled one that was ineffective.Mrs May hit back at Mr Corbyn, saying he had not tabled his promised no-confidence motion, and had then tabled one that was ineffective.
"I know it's the... pantomime season," she told MPs, "is he going to put a confidence vote? Oh yes he is," she said, prompting backbench Tories MPs to chant "oh no he isn't"."I know it's the... pantomime season," she told MPs, "is he going to put a confidence vote? Oh yes he is," she said, prompting backbench Tories MPs to chant "oh no he isn't".
Continuing the pantomime theme, she told the Labour leader "look behind you - they are not impressed and neither is the country".Continuing the pantomime theme, she told the Labour leader "look behind you - they are not impressed and neither is the country".
Mr Corbyn could be seen saying something under his breath in response.Mr Corbyn could be seen saying something under his breath in response.
Asked about what he had allegedly said by Tory MP Paul Scully, Mrs May said "I think that everybody in this House," particularly on the 100th anniversary of women getting the vote, should be encouraging women to get involved in politics and "should use appropriate language".Asked about what he had allegedly said by Tory MP Paul Scully, Mrs May said "I think that everybody in this House," particularly on the 100th anniversary of women getting the vote, should be encouraging women to get involved in politics and "should use appropriate language".
Former minister Sir Patrick McLoughlin used a point of order to accuse Mr Corbyn of having "muttered" that Theresa May was a "stupid woman".Former minister Sir Patrick McLoughlin used a point of order to accuse Mr Corbyn of having "muttered" that Theresa May was a "stupid woman".
Cries of "shame" and "disgraceful" were heard from the Tory benches at this point.Cries of "shame" and "disgraceful" were heard from the Tory benches at this point.
Sir Patrick added: "Would it not be appropriate for him to come back into this chamber and apologise?"Sir Patrick added: "Would it not be appropriate for him to come back into this chamber and apologise?"
The row continued after Prime Minister's Questions, with a string of female Conservative MPs joining in with calls for an apology.The row continued after Prime Minister's Questions, with a string of female Conservative MPs joining in with calls for an apology.
Commons leader Andrea Leadsom turned on the Speaker himself, reminding Mr Bercow of his failure to apologise to her for calling her a "stupid woman" during an incident earlier this year.Commons leader Andrea Leadsom turned on the Speaker himself, reminding Mr Bercow of his failure to apologise to her for calling her a "stupid woman" during an incident earlier this year.
Mr Bercow said he had already dealt with that matter.Mr Bercow said he had already dealt with that matter.
He repeatedly insisted he wanted to see the evidence before "pronouncing" on Mr Corbyn's "innocence or guilt".
Former minister Anna Soubry suggested Mr Bercow would be more inclined to take action if the words had been uttered by a Conservative frontbencher at a female Labour MP.Former minister Anna Soubry suggested Mr Bercow would be more inclined to take action if the words had been uttered by a Conservative frontbencher at a female Labour MP.
Mr Bercow, who was being shouted at and heckled by Tory MPs, responded saying: "I cannot be expected to deprecate the behaviour of an individual which I did not witness."
Tory MP Caroline Johnson said the issue had caused "significant upset" and asked when the Speaker would respond.
Mr Bercow said her request was "reasonable" and he would respond the same day.
Veteran Labour MP Margaret Beckett suggested the accusations were party political:Veteran Labour MP Margaret Beckett suggested the accusations were party political:
Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse said: "Sexism in any work place is not acceptable and it is time Jeremy Corbyn left the 1980s behind.Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse said: "Sexism in any work place is not acceptable and it is time Jeremy Corbyn left the 1980s behind.
"Young women from up and down the country will have watched this exchange today and it is no surprise so many of them are put off participating in politics. If the allegations are true, Jeremy Corbyn must apologise.""Young women from up and down the country will have watched this exchange today and it is no surprise so many of them are put off participating in politics. If the allegations are true, Jeremy Corbyn must apologise."