Labour’s Wes Streeting caught on mic calling Jeremy Corbyn ‘senile’

Frontbencher apologies for ‘poor taste’ remarks

Labour frontbencher Wes Streeting has apologised for calling Jeremy Corbyn “senile” during a Commons row over Rishi Sunak’s continued attacks on the former party leader.

Mr Corbyn attempted to raise a point of order after the prime minister retreated into an attack on the ex-Labour leader at PMQs for the third week in a row.

Mr Streeting could be heard saying “he’s gone senile”, as Mr Corbyn’s effort to complain was rejected by speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

The shadow health secretary later apologised, saying the comment was made “in jest, but I accept in poor taste”. He added: “I’ve dropped Jeremy a note directly to apologise for any offence caused.”

Mr Corbyn said there was “nothing funny” about Mr Streeting’s remarks as he rebuked the frontbencher – and advised him to make a public apology “to all those who may have been hurt”.

He said: “I have now received an apology … As I said in my reply, there’s nothing ‘in jest’ about calling somebody senile. It’s not funny. It’s very serious for people suffering from dementia. He should know this as shadow health secretary.”

Mr Corbyn later used a debate to say he was living “rent-free” in Mr Sunak’s head – accusing the PM of breaking conventions by failing to inform him in advance of his attack.

Mr Sunak had raised Sir Keir Starmer’s previous support for Mr Corbyn, as he struggled to cope with questions about his decision to make “cartoon bully” Gavin Williamson a minister.

Sir Keir said Sir Gavin’s short-lived stint in the Sunak government showed how “weak” he was – questioning his judgement in appointing unsuitable ministers.

The PM replied: “He talks about judgement, about putting people round the cabinet table. I would just gently remind him that he though [Mr Corbyn] was the right person to look after our security.”

Mr Corbyn later challenged Mr Sunak, saying the prime minister must inform him in advance if he plans to keep bringing him up in the Commons.

“I’m grateful for my continued rent-free tenancy in the prime minister’s head,” the left-winger said. He added: “But in future, if he could just let me know when he intends to speak about me, that would be helpful – that’s the norm in the House.”

Mr Sunak responded: “If he could ask [Sir Keir] to give me advance sight of his questions, I’d be happy to will let him know if I need to bring him up on questions of security.”

The MP for Islington North tried to raise a point of order at the end of PMQs. But he was shot down by Sir Lindsay, who said the Commons business had moved on to a statement about the Cop27 summit.

Mr Corbyn previously criticised Mr Sunak for giving a “wholly inaccurate representation” of his agenda on national security during last week’s PMQs, asking the PM to correct the record.

Mr Corbyn currently sits as an independent, having been suspended by Labour over his response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)’s report into antisemitism in the party.

Earlier this week, Sir Keir denied a “purge” of left-wing Labour candidates was under way, insisting his party is “united” amid accusations that some were being blocked from standing at the next general election.

The Labour leader told broadcasters: “We are preparing for the next election, the sooner the better … We are making sure we have got the very best candidates to put before the public for that general election which we so desperately need.”