MPs have hit back at Michael Fabricant after he implied Sir Keir Starmer was a “smarmy lawyer”.
The Conservative MP for Lichfield sparked a backlash over his comments during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Mr Fabricant said people should be careful over Christmas before asking for reassurances that the current rules would not be changed.
He said: “I want to say to my Prime Minister it would not be helpful if some smarmy lawyer or somebody now at this late stage were to argue for a change in the laws.
“So can I ask [Mr Johnson] here and now – who is neither smarmy nor a lawyer – is he now…going to change the rules?”
Mr Fabricant was interrupted by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle who said: “We’ve got the message!”
It comes after Labour leader Sir Keir, a QC and former head of public prosecutions, called on the Prime Minister to review the Christmas bubbles.
Labour’s Ilford North MP Wes Streeting commented: “PMQs begins with Michael Fabricant stealing oxygen that could have been put to far better use.”
MP Birmingham Selly Oak Steve McCabe added: “Don’t quite recall Mikey Fabricant’s previous profession but certainly sounded like a DJ filling in time today. So much time to ask his question, so many words and such little point.”
Matt Western MP added: “Disappointing from Michael Fabricant.”
Just before his appearance Mr Fabricant tweeted: “I’m Number One in PMQs today at Noon! Last before Christmas.”
