James Cleverly denies claims he called Stockton North a s***hole

Home secretary James Cleverly has denied claims that he called a Labour MP’s north east constituency a “s***hole”.

Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North, alleged the comment was made by the Tory cabinet minister during PMQs on Wednesday.

Speaking in the Commons later, the Labour MP called out the home secretary and demanded an apology.

But Mr Cleverly’s spokesman said: “He did not say that, and would not. He’s disappointed people would accuse him of doing so.”

The alleged incident comes days after Mr Cleverly refused to deny that he called Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation policy “bats***”.

Mr Sunak’s new home secretary said he “did not remember” using the expletive” to describe the Tory government’s flagship “stop the boats” policy.

The s***hole comment is said to have taken place after the prime minister was challenged by Mr Cunningham on the level of child poverty in his constituency in northeast England.

Making a point of order in the Commons later in the day, Mr Cunningham said: “Before the prime minister answered, the home secretary chose to add in his pennyworth. Yes, I have contacted his office advising him I planned to name him, but sadly he has chosen not to be in the chamber.”

“He was seen and heard to say: ‘Because it’s a s***hole’. I know he is denying being the culprit, but the audio is clear and has been checked, and checked, and checked again,” claimed the Labour MP.

He added: “There is no doubt that these comments shame the home secretary, this rotten government, and the Tory party. He is clearly unfit for his high office.”

The Independent understands Mr Cleverly is not going to complain about Mr Cunningham’s allegation.

Mr Cunningham also asked the Commons authorities how he could secure an apology from the home secretary for “his appalling insult and foul language” about his seat.

Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing said it was her understanding that Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle “didn’t hear any remark of the kind from the chair at the time when the honourable gentleman was asking his question”.

She said: “I understand that the alleged words were not actually used, though I appreciate what [Mr Cunningham] says.

“But I think we all know that it’s very difficult in the noisy atmosphere of prime minister’s questions to discern exactly what someone says. So I can make no judgement here from the chair as to what was or wasn’t said.”

Dame Eleanor said she understood Mr Cunningham’s concern, and added: “I would remind all honourable members of the need for good temper and moderation in the language they use in this chamber.”

Speaking at PMQs, Mr Cunningham had asked: “Why are 34 per cent of children in my constituency living in poverty?”

Responding at the despatch box, Mr Sunak said: “It’s this government that has ensured that across our country 1.7 million fewer people are living in … poverty as a result of the actions of this government.”

Mr Cunningham could then be heard calling out “it’s not true” to the prime minister. Mr Sunak went on: “Yes that is true. Not only that, hundreds of thousands fewer children are living in poverty, and income inequality is at a lower level than we inherited from the party opposite.”

“But we don’t want any child to grow up in poverty, and the best way to make sure that happens is to ensure they do not grow up in a workless household. And that is why the right strategy is to ensure that we provide as many children with the opportunity to grow up with parents in work.”