Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has come under fire for his appearance on Newsnight yesterday (Monday.)
Appearing on Newsnight during an interview with Victoria Derbyshire, the Conservative MP denied referring to the investigation into Johnson as a “kangaroo court”.
However, a recording (below) clearly shows that he had indeed used the term to described the Privileges Committee just over a week ago.
Hi @IoWBobSeely, I saw you on #Newsnight just now denying that you called the privileges committee a kangaroo court. Here's you calling the privileges committee a kangaroo court. pic.twitter.com/G3v4jShVjd
— Matt Eason (@MattEason) June 19, 2023
MPs had voted to back a damning report that revealed former Prime Minister Johnson had lied to Parliament with his 'partygate' denials.
The Island's MP had come under fire at the time for admitting to breaking Covid rules by attending a party, something which saw him labelled 'half a sausage Seely' by sections of the media.
The Newsnight Interview can be viewed below:
Victoria Derbyshire: “A week last Friday on #Newsnight you described the Priv. Committee as a kangaroo court”
— The London Economic (@LondonEconomic) June 20, 2023
Tory MP Bob Seely: “I don’t think I did”
Victoria Derbyshire: “You absolutely did”
How do you forget that only a week ago you appeared on Newsnight? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/zh0uAQU0qT
In response, Bob Seely told Isle of Wight Radio:
"When I used the phrase, I was very clearly quoting my pro-Boris colleague who was speaking before me - Hence I didn't recall using that it.
"Happy to accept I should have been clearer at the time - as I said last night - but in the context of the entire conversation, my wider position on the matter is clear.
"Clearly, as I voted for the report, despite its flaws, I don’t consider it to have been a kangaroo court. Because I tend to avoid cliches when I was asked if I used the term, I didn’t recall, but I was happy to trust Victoria.
"I then agreed it was the wrong term - because it was. I’m v happy to set that straight.
"I think it’s good to have a reality check here. Boris agreed to stand down last year after I and others believed that his conduct was not up to standard. Since last autumn Rishi has been leading us, and doing a good job for the nation.
"I agree that it is important for all elected representatives to have high standards, and when they don’t reach them, to be clear about it, and apologise if need be. I certainly try to do so myself, which is why I, along with others, asked Boris to stand down over a year ago."