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Pregnant minister Jo Swinson 'forced to stand' Offer seat to pregnant women - Vince Cable
(about 14 hours later)
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. Vince Cable has waded into the debate about whether a heavily pregnant MP should have been offered a seat by colleagues in the Commons.
Equalities minister Jo Swinson was pictured standing next to colleagues during Wednesday's half-hour session. Jo Swinson, who is seven months pregnant, stood next to other MPs for half an hour at Prime Minster's Questions on Wednesday.
Westminster commentators on Twitter said it was outrageous the Lib Dem MP had not been offered a seat. The Lib Dem equalities minister has said she wanted to stand.
But Ms Swinson later replied that she had been "happier" standing. But that has not stopped Mr Cable and others calling for a return to more chivalrous behaviour.
The 33-year-old, who represents East Dunbartonshire, is married to fellow Lib Dem MP Duncan Hames. The business secretary said: "I didn't see the incident.
"But I think as a matter of basic consideration and good manners people should offer their seat to someone who's visibly pregnant. I'd have thought that was just automatic.
"The old tradition of men offering seats to women has long gone but I think if somebody is heavily pregnant or is disabled, basic decency suggests you should give them preference."
Ms Swinson, a junior minister at Mr Cable's business department, has declined interview requests about the matter, which was sparked by Twitter comments on Wednesday, after she had been spotted standing in the Commons 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."
Ms Swinson, who represents East Dunbartonshire, is married to fellow Lib Dem MP Duncan Hames.
'Lack of manners''Lack of manners'
The Spectator magazine's political editor James Forsyth caused a flurry of comments when he tweeted about Ms Swinson on Wednesday.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 had been 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's child, her first, is due on Christmas Day, according to reports.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."