The Tory benefits chief had a grumpy clash with a Labour MP after failing to answer a string of questions on the cost of living crisis.
Therese Coffey told Neil Coyle “don’t be ridiculous” after he accused her of wanting to quit the government.
And she ominously said “If you want to bring up gossip, I could bring up other stuff that happened downstairs.”
Mr Coyle, who was reportedly banned from Commons bars after an incident last week, responded: "I can discuss that stuff any time."
It came after Ms Coffey was slammed for failing to pledge any new help for the poorest to afford energy bills.
That was despite Citizens Advice warning poor Brits are “already drowning” with food bank demand at an “all time record”.
The charity’s Morgan Wild told MPs a £350 pledge had not “grasped the challenge” and more help is needed “over the coming months”.
He said: “Over the past month Citizens Advice has seen a record demand since the pandemic began of people coming to us for advice.
“We’re seeing all time records for crisis support - referrals for food banks and other charitable support - and record numbers for fuel debts.”
Yet Ms Coffey said: “There’s already been a significant increase into the level of support, I’m not aware any more plans are there. That’s not my decision.”
She distanced herself from the decision, saying: “I think they think the £9bn, the Chancellor thinks £9bn of support to people in the country is a substantial element.”
Ms Coffey also rebuffed calls from the IFS think tank to lift benefits by more than 3.1% in April - which is a below-inflation rise.
She said: “Sometimes that will be up, sometimes that will be down.”
Ms Coffey was also unable to answer a series of other questions about welfare policy.
The Cabinet minister said she either did not recall some details or was being asked about other departmental briefs.
But Mr Coyle said it was "really disappointing” and “embarrassing” adding: “There was a rumour the Secretary of State is going to resign.
"Is that the reason you can't answer any questions today, because you've got one foot out the door?"
Ms Coffey snapped: “No, don't be ridiculous Neil.
“You know, if you want to bring up gossip, I could bring up other stuff that happened downstairs.”
Committee chairman Stephen Timms added: “The lack of detail that the Secretary of State was able to give us on what the Government is doing to support the many people currently struggling to get by was hugely disappointing.”
Earlier, the minister revealed she had complained to her own energy supplier that her household bill is too high.
Therese Coffey accused energy firms of using rate-payers “as their cash flow” ahead of a £693 annual bill rise in April.
The Work and Pensions Secretary, who earns £149,437, told MPs: “I don’t pretend in any way to be poor, I’m not trying to suggest that at all.
“But I did notice very significantly my utility suppliers all of a sudden increased my standing order, anticipating perhaps rises.
“I’ve had to go back and get them to bring back down my standing order because it’s not in line with my bills.”
She told the Commons Work and Pensions Committee people could “ask for that to be reviewed” or even go to Ofgem.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Ashworth branded her remarks “tone deaf”.
He added: “On top of rocketing heating bills, price going up, wages stagnating and Tory tax rises working people, families and pensioners need real help now like Labour’s £600 reduction in energy bills.”
