WATCH: Theresa May left speechless as she's asked to defend Christopher Chope knighthood
2 min read
Theresa May appeared lost for words after she was forced to defend the Government’s decision to award a knighthood to the Tory MP who blocked a bill to ban "upskirting".
Sir Christopher Chope sparked widespread condemnation after he blocked a Government-backed bid on Friday to make it illegal to take 'upskirt' photos of people.
The Tory veteran shouted "object" to a bill tabled by Lib Dem Wera Hobhouse as it came to the House of Commons for its second reading - a move that prevents it from proceeding to its next stage.
The Prime Minister said that she was “disappointed” the bill would not progress, but that the Government would table its own to criminalise the “offensive and invasive” act.
However she initially appeared uncomfortable when asked why Sir Christopher, who has previously been criticised for proposing the abolition of the minimum wage and blocking bills to prevent ‘revenge eviction’ and to ban wild animals in circuses was awarded a knighthood six months ago.
Mrs May told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “Christopher Chope has been a long-standing member of parliament.”
“What is important is how we respond to the legislation that was going to be there, because the concern is not the issue of an individual, the concern is about are we going to going ensure… that something that is offensive to people, that is invasive of people’s privacy, are we going to ensure action is taken about that? Yes, we are.”
Elsewhere the Prime Minister repeated her claim that parliament could not "tie the hands" of the Government in Brexit negotiations ahead of another round of crunch Brexit votes.
She also said Jeremy Corbyn "does not understand" what goes on in Brexit negotiations, after she was accused of giving him a "death stare" at PMQs following a jibe in which he cited Boris Johnson's claim that Donald Trump could be more effective than her in talks.
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