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Jeremy Corbyn denies calling Theresa May a 'stupid woman' during PMQs

Jeremy Corbyn has denied calling Theresa May a ‘stupid woman’ during Prime Ministers Question.

The Labour leader was accused of misogyny after Tory MPs said he mouthed the insult as he sat down in the chamber during a furious exchange with Mrs May.

Mr Corbyn returned to the Commons a few hours later to make a statement on the matter, claiming he said ‘stupid people’ rather than ‘stupid woman’.

He said: “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’.

“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.”

Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis said on Twitter: “Will @jeremycorbyn apologise or clarify exactly what he was saying? Looks shocking on the film, unacceptable in any environment.”

Jeremy Corbyn appeared to say the words ‘stupid woman’ following a response from Prime Minister Theresa May during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday. (BBC)
Jeremy Corbyn appeared to say the words ‘stupid woman’ following a response from Prime Minister Theresa May during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday. (BBC)
Theresa May had just delivered a scathing response to the Labour leader in the Commons. (Parliament.TV)
Theresa May had just delivered a scathing response to the Labour leader in the Commons. (Parliament.TV)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote on Twitter: “The mask slips. Jeremy Corbyn’s abuse of the Prime Minister shows what a reactionary misogynist he is”

He added: “Unreal how Corbyn supporters are actually defending him calling the PM a “stupid woman”. Sickening. This misogyny now runs deep in Corbyn’s Labour – and runs right to the top.”

While Tory MP Caroline Noakes joined the criticism.

She posted: “Hope @jeremycorbyn is going to apologise for his misogyny towards @theresa_may during #PMQs today and that his Shadow SOS for Equalities @DawnButlerBrent encourages him to do so.”

A point of order was made by Sir Patrick McLoughlin following the alleged remarks, with former Tory minister Sir Patrick McLoughlin accusing 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.

Sir Patrick added: “Would it not be appropriate for him to come back into this chamber and apologise?”

Speaker John Bercow, who initially delayed taking the point of order, said: “As he rightly surmised at the start of it, I saw no such thing, I’m not making an allegation and I’m not denying or seeking to refute that of (Sir Patrick).

“I cannot be expected to pronounce upon that which I did not see and which was not witnessed by my advisers, and which I did not hear and which was not witnessed by my advisers.”

He added if an MP failed to follow the conventions of the House then they have a responsibility to apologise.