'That's unacceptable!' Labour peer explodes after being called 'love' on BBC Politics Live
Labour peer Ruth Smeeth, Baroness Anderson, and Conservative MP Chris Clarkson clashed during Wednesday's BBC Politics Live.
MP Chris Clarkson asked about armed forces recruitment
Labour peer Ruth Smeeth, Baroness Anderson was left outraged by Conservative MP Chris Clarkson after appearing on BBC Politics Live on Wednesday. Clarkson, 42, called her “love” live on air during a debate.
The pair were sitting alongside host Jo Coburn, as they discussed the coverage of the Prime Minister’s Questions. During the heated debate, Clarkson muttered under his breath, referring to the Baroness as “love”.
She outed him and said: "Sorry, did you just call me 'love'?”. He then replied: "I'm northern."
Furious at his remark, the politician responded: "Well I was born in Edinburgh and that's unacceptable!" This came after the group chatted about military procurement.
The debate raged as Rishi Sunak was set to face the looming questions on the issue in PMQs. Clarkson said: “Sometimes you’re planning five to ten years in the future and that’s very hard to do”. Coburn asked him: “How hard will it be?”
He described funding as “bloated” and inefficient” across the board.
He added that he has openly spoken to Labour Party MPs about the topic. Clarkson shared that they had a similar concern.
However, he defended his party leader and hit back at Coburn. He said: “I think he will be fine.
“Look Keir [Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer] reads off a script.
Don't miss...
BBC Radio host brands listener a 'b***h' live on-air after show complaint [EXCLUSIVE]
GMB’s Ranvir Singh admits she was ‘hypnotised’ to help her land major TV job [INSIGHT ]
The Traitors stars talk 'stern' Claudia Winkleman after scolding from BBC bosses [LATEST]
“As soon as he goes off-script it all goes to pot for him. Look, the Prime Minister is very, very comfortable there."
Turning to the Commons Chambers, Coburn was heard saying: “Well he has just walked in - we will see how comfortable he is. Ruth, what do you say?”
Smeeth responded: “Yet again, Rishi is in for a difficult PMQ. Let’s be clear, Keir Starmer was a barrister. He can happily work off-script."
“And he’s also an incredibly intelligent man, so I think this is nonsense. But yet again, what we are going to see is false cheers for Rishi."
There were cheers when Rishi walked in, with the television host saying, “Whether they were forced or not I do not know."
As Coburn was speaking, Clarkson referred to Smeeth as "love" in a muttered comment.
After Smeeth was left startled, the Labour MP apologised to her.