Boris Johnson has been rebuked by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle over his Jimmy Savile “slur” on Sir Keir Starmer.
The Speaker warned that “words have consequences” as Downing Street dug in on its refusal to apologise to the Labour leader who was targeted by demonstrators near Parliament on Monday afternoon hurling Savile abuse.
Starmer had to be rushed into a police car to protect him.
At the beginning of the Tuesday session in the Commons Hoyle told MPs: “I deplore the fact that members of this House were subjected to intimidating and threatening behaviour while simply doing their jobs.
“I know the whole House will join me in saying that we stand with our colleagues in condemning the behaviour they and the police experienced.”
Turning to the Prime Minister’s comments, he said: “I made it clear last week that while the Prime Minister’s words were not disorderly they were inappropriate."
“As I said then, these sorts of comments only inflame opinions and generate disregard for the House and it is not acceptable.”
“Our words have consequences and we should always be mindful of the fact.”
Hoyle also revealed he has asked Scotland Yard for a security update on how MPs can safely enter and leave the parliamentary estate.
He spoke out after Number 10 insisted Johnson will not apologise for the untrue smear he levelled at the Labour leader in Parliament last week.
At a briefing for journalists, the PM’s official spokesman said: “Clearly these sorts of incidents are unacceptable. We respect everyone’s right to protest peacefully, but not when they seek to harass individuals.”
Johnson is facing calls from his own MPs to apologise and withdraw his claim that Starmer, when Director of Public Prosecutions, failed to prosecute serial sex offender Savile.
But with the row distracting from the partygate breaches of lockdown in Downing Street it appears that the Prime Minister is happy to let the Savile row rumble on in order to associate Starmer’s name with the sex offender.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
