Alex Cunningham

The home secretary has admitted he used " unparliamentary" language to describe a Labour MP, a close source has said.

James Cleverly had denied claims he called the Stockton North constituency a swearword in response to A Question in The Commons from Alex Cunningham .

The Source said on Thursday: " James made a comment. He called Alex Cunningham a shit MP. He apologises for unparliamentary language. "

Mr Cunningham said it " simply was not true" adding he " did not believe him".

He had alleged the swearword was used during Prime Minister 's Questions on Wednesday.

Mr Cunningham had asked: " Why are 34% of children in my constituency living in poverty? "

Making a point of order in The Commons later That Day , He Said : " Before the Prime Minister answered, the home secretary chose to add in his pennyworth.

" He was seen and heard to say 'because it's a shithole'.

" I know he is denying being The Culprit , but the audio is clear and has been checked, and checked, and checked again. "

In footage of The Exchange in The Commons , it was unclear where the remarks came from as there was no shot of Mr Cleverly mouthing The Words .

The Conservative Party chairman and Durham North West MP Richard Holden had earlier said he was " sure it wasn't said by any Conservative MP".

The Source close to Mr Cleverly added: " As was made clear yesterday, he would never criticise Stockton. He's campaigned in Stockton and is clear that it is a great place. "

Mr Cunningham told The Bbc : " This is simply not true. I don't believe it. Two syllables were clearly heard.

"'MP' doesn't fit. He's moved today but needs to go the full distance and admit that He Said The Words . "

Commons Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing said it was her understanding that Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle " didn't hear any remark of the kind from The Chair at The Time when the honourable gentleman was asking his question".

" But I think we all know that it's very difficult in the noisy atmosphere of Prime Minister 's Questions to discern exactly what someone says.

" So I can make no judgment here from The Chair as to what was or wasn't said. "

Earlier Lord Houchen of High Leven had demanded that Mr Cleverly apologised " for dragging Stockton's name through the mud".

Lord Houchen is The Conservative mayor for Tees Valley , which includes Stockton, and was ennobled in Boris Johnson 's resignation honours list.

Source of news: bbc.com