Grant Shapps accused of smirking as Sky host lists cases of Tory misbehaviour

18 April 2024 , 10:53

1467     0

Grant Shapps accused of smirking as Sky host lists cases of Tory misbehaviour

Tory frontbencher Grant Shapps was accused of smirking during a live TV interview as he was quizzed about misconduct allegations against Tory MPs.

The Defence Secretary was pulled up by Sky News host Kay Burley after he appeared to smile as she listed a string of cases where Tories had lost the whip following allegations of serious misconduct. He maintained he was there to talk about two wars.

Last night the party confirmed backbencher Mark Menzies was being investigated over claims he demanded party funds after being locked in a flat with "bad people". He agreed to give up the Tory whip.

Ms Burley listed a string of cases, stating: "The whip was removed from Scott Benton over a lobbying scandal. Peter Bone, again a former Conservative MP, for sexual bullying, Neil Parish for viewing porn - or was it tractors? - in the chamber of the House of Commons.

Grant Shapps insisted he wasn't smirking in the TV exchange

"Chris Pincher allegedly molesting men at the Carlson Club, eight independent MPs, former Tories. What is that saying about your party and the state of British politics this morning?"

Michelle Mone's husband gifted Tories 'over £171k' as Covid PPE row rumbles on

Mr Shapps responded: "Well, look, I understand what you're driving at here. I thought you'd got me on to talk about two wars in the world and you're pressing me about some issues which I'm not particularly close to."

Ms Burley then asked: "Do you think it's funny Mr Shapps?" He replied: "I don't think it's funny, no one said it was funny."

The host told him: "You appear to be smirking about it, I'm asking about the state of British politics this morning." The cabinet member retorted: "I'm not - you're just pursuing a line of questioning about something which I didn't come on to talk about because there are two world wars, two wars in the world, going on. And that was what I was principally here to talk out."

But the presenter persisted, asking what voters in affected constituencies should make of the Conservative Party. Mr Shapps said: "I think you're trying to draw a thread between all of them. There are MPs from other parties that have experienced similar problems or misdemeanours, and it's right that there are processes in place.

"But I can't really add much to this in this particular case, that action has been taken with the whip withdrawn and no doubt the investigations will will take place."

Dave Burke