WATCH: Theresa May insists Julian Smith pairing row was 'honest mistake'
2 min read
Theresa May has insisted that Tory chief whip Julian Smith made "an honest mistake" when he deliberately broke a parliamentary convention to help the Government win a key vote.
Conservative chairman Brandon Lewis broke a so-called "pairing" arrangement with Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson, who has just had a baby, under Mr Smith's instruction.
Under the longstanding convention, an MP who cannot be in the Commons because of illness or maternity leave is paired with another MP in order to cancel out their vote.
Mr Smith and Mr Lewis insisted that they broke the arrangement on a customs union vote on Tuesday - which the Government won by just six - in "error".
However, The Times later reported that Mr Smith conceded to another party's chief whip that he had instructed Mr Lewis to vote - but that he did not know he was paired with Ms Swinson.
PoliticsHome has also verified that that he made the admission.
Speaking in Belfast today, the Prime Minister doubled down in defending her two colleagues, after she was asked whether she endorsed Mr Smith’s conduct.
“There was an honest mistake made for which the Chief Whip and indeed Brandon Lewis have both apologised to the member concerned, Jo Swinson,” she said.
But Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, said the Prime Minister’s latest comments were “unbelievable”.and called on her to sack both men.
He said: "This is a serious issue that goes beyond efficient administration in the House of Commons. This is about public trust in politics. At such a crucial time for our country, people expect candour and decency, not cowardice and dishonesty.
"Theresa May was right to call the Tories the ‘nasty party’, and nothing has changed. From forcing seriously ill MPs into the Commons in their wheelchairs, carrying sick buckets, to cheating a new mum out of her vote, this Government is rotten to its core.
"If Brandon Lewis and Julian Smith, two generals of the nasty party, don’t have the honour to resign, the Prime Minister should find the strength to sack them."
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