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Pregnant minister Jo Swinson 'forced to stand' Pregnant minister Jo Swinson 'forced to stand'
(35 minutes later)
Heavily pregnant minister Jo Swinson is refusing to comment over claims she was forced to stand at Prime Minster's Questions in the Commons. Giving up a seat for someone in greater need is "the right thing to do", Downing Street has said following claims a heavily pregnant MP was forced to stand at Prime Minister's Questions.
The equalities minister, who is seven months pregnant, was pictured standing next to colleagues during the half hour session on Wednesday. Equalities minister Jo Swinson was pictured standing next to colleagues during Wednesday's half-hour session.
Westminster commentators on Twitter said it was outrageous that MPs had not offered Ms Swinson a seat. Westminster commentators on Twitter said it was outrageous the Lib Dem MP had not been offered a seat.
But the 33-year-old East Dunbartonshire Lib Dem MP has declined to comment. But Ms Swinson later replied that she had been "happier" standing.
"I don't think she wants to say anything. She is just cracking on with her work," said a Lib Dem spokesman. The 33-year-old, who represents East Dunbartonshire, is married to fellow Lib Dem MP Duncan Hames.
The Spectator magazine's political editor James Forsyth, whose wife Allegra Stratton, Newsnight's political editor, is also pregnant, sparked a flurry of comments across Westminster when he tweeted about Ms Swinson on Wednesday. 'Lack of manners'
The Spectator magazine's political editor James Forsyth caused a flurry of comments when he tweeted about Ms Swinson on Wednesday.
"Quite remarkable that no MP has offered Jo Swinson, who is seven months pregnant, a seat. Really shocking lack of manners and decency," said Mr Forsyth."Quite remarkable that no MP has offered Jo Swinson, who is seven months pregnant, a seat. Really shocking lack of manners and decency," said Mr Forsyth.
According to the Daily Mail, a source close to Ms Swinson said the suggestion that she was unable to "fend for herself" was "quite sexist". According to the Daily Mail, a source close to Ms Swinson said the suggestion that she had been unable to "fend for herself" was "quite sexist".
But David Cameron appeared to disagree with this view.But David Cameron appeared to disagree with this view.
Asked if the prime minister would offer a pregnant woman a seat if he were to find himself on a bus, his official spokesman said: "I'm sure he would."Asked if the prime minister would offer a pregnant woman a seat if he were to find himself on a bus, his official spokesman said: "I'm sure he would."
"If we take the example of public transport, if you see someone who is in greater need of a seat than yourself, then offering that seat is the right thing to do," he said."If we take the example of public transport, if you see someone who is in greater need of a seat than yourself, then offering that seat is the right thing to do," he said.
Ms Swinson is married to fellow Lib Dem MP Duncan Hames, a key aide to party leader Nick Clegg. The couple are expecting their first child which, according to press reports, is due on Christmas Day. Ms Swinson's child, her first, is due on Christmas Day, according to reports.
The MP did manage to find a seat on the government front bench later on Wednesday, when most MPs had left the chamber.The MP did manage to find a seat on the government front bench later on Wednesday, when most MPs had left the chamber.
Writing on Twitter on Thursday, she joked: "About to get on the Tube - seat offers welcome & definitely not sexist :o) But I was happier standing at pmqs yesterday."