Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Brexit news - LIVE: Jeremy Corbyn denies calling Theresa May 'stupid woman' after uproar in parliament

The latest Brexit developments at Westminster

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Ashley Cowburn
Wednesday 19 December 2018 12:30 EST
Comments
Jeremy Corbyn appears to call Theresa May a 'stupid woman' during PMQs

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jeremy Corbyn today came under pressure to apologise after MPs accused him of calling the prime minister a “stupid woman” during a heated exchange in the Commons.

The Labour leader firmly denied he had made a misogynistic remark, claiming during a point of order later on Wednesday that he muttered “stupid people” under his breath to refer to all MPs.

It came as television cameras picked up Mr Corbyn during prime minister’s questions saying something to those next to him after Theresa May likened his attempt to force a vote of no confidence in her leadership to a pantomime.

The footage went viral on social media, but Mr Corbyn later flatly denied using the phrase, telling MPs gathered in the chamber: “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”.

“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.”

Ms May had suggested Mr Corbyn apologise if he had indeed used “inappropriate language” as the row overshadowed a heated PMQs that focused on the ongoing Brexit impasse.

The row comes as Sajid Javid, the home secretary, conceded that a Conservative manifesto pledge to keep net migration to the “tens of thousands” has been left out of post-Brexit plans released on Wednesday afternoon.

See below for live updates

Jeremy Corbyn hits back, saying May is the one denying MPs the right to vote on this. She is behaving in a disgraceful way, he claims.

No-deal Brexit would be a disaster and it is simply not an option. Why doesn't she stop wasting time pretending?

May says if he doesn't want money spent on no-deal - he should vote for her deal.

Corbyn says it is a 'criminal waste of money' what PM is doing. She is engaged in a "shameless attempt to make her own bad deal look like the best of two evils". How can she justify wasting so much money on no deal when there are swingeing cuts to public services.

May says a responsible government has to prepare for all scenarios.

Corbyn goes back, saying she must allow a vote now. He quotes Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who said the botched deal is a disgrace.

Parliament must take back control, he says. There is no majority for a no-deal and this is a cynical act by the PM.

May goes on the offensive, mocking Labour for its back and forth on calling a confidence vote. In a series of terrible jokes, Ms May says its panto season but they have been saying 'oh not it isn't', 'oh yes it is'.

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:18

SNP's Ian Blackford picks up the warnings from businesses on Brexit, after the top British groups said they were 'watching in horror' at how the negotiations had been handled. He calls for a final say referendum.

May lists a string of Scottish businesses are supporting her deal, why won't he?

Blackford asks why she won't let MPs vote on the deal if she is confident of support. He sets out how opposition parties have tabled a no-confidence vote in the government, as Labour would not.

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:23

Brexit ultra, Andrew Bridgen, asks a question about land seizures in South Africa, in a surprising diversion. It shows that Eurosceptics may be biding their time until the new year.

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:27

Lots of speculation on Twitter now that Jeremy Corbyn called Theresa May a "stupid woman" in PMQs. See for yourselves in this clip below.

If true, it's not a great look for the Labour leader, who has made a point of avoiding personal attacks and advocating a kinder, gentler style of politics.

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:29

Labour's John Mann raises concerns about antisemitism, as he says some Jewish people do not feel safe in this country.

The PM says it is unacceptable that Jewish people felt unsafe. 

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:31

Here's a clip of Jeremy Corbyn from PMQs, which is already attracting some concerns.

Labour's Stella Creasy has piled in already:

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:34

Labour Dan Jarvis asks about record NHS winter deaths, which he said was a "shameful indictment" on the government.

May says the government is taking action to protect people over the winter.

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:37

Tory MP Sarah Wollaston asks the PM to rule out a "disastrous no deal" and asks her to imagine how many NHS workers could be hired in that money.

May says MPs should vote to back her deal to avoid a no-deal Brexit.

Justine Greening, a former cabinet minister, says parliament is going off for two weeks, which sends a message of Brexit 'crisis, what crisis?'

May says she is continuing to talk to the EU and the matter will be voted on by MPs.

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:42

Important: Labour MP Chris Elmore asks net migration targets are still focused on reaching the 'tens of thousands' after Sajid Javid refused to set it out this morning.

The PM says: "Yes."

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:43

Tory MP Anna Soubry asks if May's Brexit deal fails, will she allow MPs to have "proper meaningful votes" as a matter of urgency. This is the so-called indicative votes idea that some ministers have been pushing for.

May repeats her argument that MPs should back her deal to avoid a no-deal Brexit.

Lizzy Buchan19 December 2018 12:45

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in