Heather Wheeler: Tory MP's microphone picks up F-word during Zoom call in parliamentary debate

MP's comment comes after Welsh health minister apologised for swearing at colleague via video

A Tory MP’s microphone picked up her swearing yesterday as she appeared to have technical difficulties while addressing the House of Commons via video link.

Heather Wheeler, the Conservative MP for South Derbyshire, cut off her speech on Covid-19 and appeared to the utter the words “oh f****** hell” as she attempted to adjust her computer during a debate on Monday night.

Nigel Evans, the deputy speaker, then told Ms Wheeler that parliament could still hear her and asked her to continue the speech.

The MP’s comment has not been officially recorded and has instead been marked in Hansard, parliament’s official transcripts, simply as an “interruption”.

It came after Vaughan Gething, the Welsh health minister, was caught swearing about a colleague when he accidentally left his microphone unmuted during a cabinet meeting last month.

Mr Gething was heard saying “what the f*** is the matter with her?” in reference to Jenny Rathbone, a Cardiff Central assembly member, in a Zoom video conference.

The Labour Co-operative MP later said he was “obviously embarrassed” and had apologised to Ms Rathbone over his comments.

ITV journalist Robert Peston was also caught appearing to swear when he had technical difficulties as he called into a government press conference via video in March.

Despite these mishaps, attempts to adapt parliament to new public health guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic have been largely successful.

MPs must stay 2 metres apart to maintain social distancing rules, with up to 50 MPs being allowed to attend the House of Commons chamber and up to 120 allowed to contribute from their constituencies via Zoom video calls.

Extra television screens have been installed in the chamber to allow MPs who are contributing remotely to be heard by their colleagues, while tape and signs have been used to highlight where MPs can walk and sit in the chamber.