Sir Kier apologises for ‘overly rude’ response to Plaid Cymru MP

Local TV

After saying he believed Liz Saville-Roberts ‘speaks rubbish’ in the Houses of Parliament last week, the Prime Minister has apologised for his remarks, calling them ‘overly rude’ and adding that he ‘does respect the honourable member’.

Transcript

00:00Yes, the belief that she talks rubbish.

00:04It wasn't the most diplomatic of responses to Liz Savile Roberts from the Prime Minister,

00:08but Sir Keir Starmer has apologised for the comments he made in the House of Commons last week,

00:12admitting that the response to a question from Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader

00:16was, in his own words, overly root.

00:20The Prime Minister's apology came during this week's Prime Minister's questions

00:23after he told Liz Savile Roberts last Wednesday that she talks rubbish

00:28and remarked made in response to criticism of his immigration policy.

00:33This week, as Savile Roberts asked about Starmer's past support for the single market and free movement,

00:38she accused the Prime Minister of flip-flopping on principles

00:41and asked what his younger self would make of his current positions.

00:46Apologies aren't something you see in the often boisterous Houses of Parliament very often.

00:51As Sir Keir said, I think last week I was overly rude and apologised.

00:55I do respect the Honourable Member.

00:58He went on to defend Labour's red line on the single market,

01:01saying they'd been kept in place during recent EU negotiations,

01:05and insisted the UK had secured what he called a very good deal.

01:09Starmer's government recently unveiled its immigration white paper,

01:12proposing stricter visa requirements,

01:14including tougher English language standards

01:16and degree thresholds for skilled workers.

01:18He says the reforms will restore control,

01:22ensure fairness and rebuild trust in the immigration system,

01:25a system he claims was neglected by previous governments.

01:30Sir Keir might have calmed tensions with his apology,

01:32but a government with dwindling support in the polls

01:34and immigration a key issue for the moment,

01:37Sir Keir might want to avoid the rude comments

01:39and keep things on track.

01:41J.P. Watkins, Porton for Local TV.

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