James Cleverly has said sorry for using "inappropriate language" while criticising a Labour MP but denied insulting his constituency.
Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham accused the Home Secretary of calling the area a “shithole” on November 22.
Mr Cleverly said on Monday: “I know what I said. I rejected the accusation that I criticised his constituency.
“My criticism, which I made from a sedentary position, about the honourable gentleman used inappropriate language for which I apologise.
“But I will not accept that my criticism was of his constituency because it was not.”
At the time, Mr Cleverly's spokesperon said: “He did not say that, and would not. He’s disappointed people would accuse him of doing so.”
The alleged insult was reportedly used in a response to a question on child poverty directed at the prime minister.
Mr Cunningham asked Rishi Sunak: “Why are 34 per cent of children in my constituency living in poverty?”
In audio of the interaction, Labour said the Conservative MP could be heard to say “because it is a shithole”.
Mr Cunningham used what is known as a point of order in the House of Commons to make the accusation, which is an appeal to the Chair or Speaker for clarification or for a ruling on a matter of procedure.
Mr Cleverly’s apology on Monday sparked a further row in the Commons as some opposition MPs questioned the Home Secretary’s version of events.
Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing said she considered the matter closed.
Raising a point of order, Mr Cunningham earlier said: “It’s extremely sad that the Home Secretary hasn’t the guts to admit to his appalling remark about my Stockton North constituency from the frontbench and apologise to the people I have the privilege of representing.”
Mr Cunningham recalled the events of the previous week before saying Mr Cleverly tried to “minimise the damage to his reputation by claiming his remark was aimed at me”, adding: “It’s untrue and has been shown to be untrue.”
Dame Eleanor intervened to advise Mr Cunningham to use another word instead of “untrue”, with the Labour MP replying: “You offer me a considerable challenge but perhaps the Home Secretary has inadvertently misled people across the country in relation to this particular matter.”
He accused Mr Cleverly of “talking down” Stockton and Teesside and urged the Tory frontbencher to apologise for “insulting Stockton rather than hide behind the half truths uttered on his behalf”.
Mr Cleverly replied: “For the avoidance of doubt the honourable gentleman accused me of making derogatory remarks about his constituency and my response issued through my office was that I did not, would not and would never make such comments about his constituency.
“What I said was a comment about him. My apology was for using unparliamentary language.
“But I will make it absolutely clear, for the avoidance of doubt, with no ambiguity, I did not, would not…”
As an opposition MP shouted “you did”, Mr Cleverly said: “Then what are you calling me, Sir?”
At this point Mr Cleverly then said “I know what I said” before reiterating he rejected the accusation that he criticised Stockton North.
Mr Cleverly was challenged again from the Labour benches, with Dame Eleanor saying: “This is not a debate and the matter is now closed.”
Mr Cunningham, raising a further point of order, said: “I don’t actually require any apology for an insult against me because it didn’t happen.”
He added: “He has not apologised to me, he’s not apologised to the people of my constituency, he has apologised for using unparliamentary language.”
Dame Eleanor concluded: “(Mr Cleverly) has issued an apology. I require an apology for the use of unparliamentary language and the Home Secretary has given that apology.
“It is my understanding that he has also apologised to (Mr Cunningham) – whether he accepts it or not is a matter for him. I require an apology, the Home Secretary has issued that apology and the matter is now closed.
“I must say the people who elected us to this place expect us to concentrate on the very serious matters that we have been discussing and we’re going on to discuss.”
