WATCH: Labour MP confronts Dominic Cummings in Parliament over Boris Johnson's 'disgraceful' language
2 min read
A Labour MP has angrily confronted Boris Johnson’s top adviser over the language used by the Prime Minister in a major Commons row.
Karl Turner was filmed approaching Dominic Cummings in Portcullis House and telling him he had received death threats in the wake of the PM's remarks.
The incident came after Mr Johnson was accused of stoking “hatred and division” by branding a new law to stop a no-deal Brexit a "surrender act" and a "capitulation".
He also provoked fury by claiming the best way to honour murdered MP Jo Cox's memory was to "get Brexit done".
The row prompted Kingston upon Hull East MP Mr Turner to tell Mr Cummings: “That tone of language is going down well, Dominic.
“That tone of language is going down well in constituencies like mine. I’ve had death threats overnight: ‘should be dead’."
Mr Cummings, who was leaning on a pillar talking to a journalist responded: “Get Brexit done”.
The MP then hit back: “It’s a disgrace. Get Brexit done? I’ve had three opportunities to get Brexit done and if I could have voted for it, I would have voted for it. Don’t tell me to get Brexit done.”
Mr Cummings then asked the journalist “who’s this guy?” before adding: “I don’t know who you are”.
Mr Turner continued: “I’m an MP… it’s very, very dreadful, and people are blaming you.”
Mr Johnson meanwhile refused to apologise for the comments in an interview with BBC Look North, which covers Ms Cox's former Batley and Spen constituency.
"Obviously I’m deeply sorry for the threats that MPs face and I think it’s very important we look after them, particularly look after female MPs,” he said.
"The death of Jo Cox was an absolute tragedy which I think bought the House of Commons together in unison.
“But it’s also important to protect the right of MPs to speak freely in the House of Commons about important political matters and the fact of the so-called Benn Act is that it surrenders our powers."
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