Health Secretary Wes Streeting has landed himself in hot water with an official complaint filed against him for a joke made at the expense of former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh during a recent Westminster dinner.
The Joke That Sparked It All
At the Spectator magazine’s Parliamentarian of the Year awards, Streeting took to the stage and quipped:
“There’s been a spate of bike thefts around Westminster lately… so watch out for this person,” he said, pointing to an image of Haigh riding a bike.
He added: “No seriously, I love Louise and I hope to see her back in government soon. And I’m going to call her tomorrow on one of her phones.”
The joke, referencing Haigh’s past conviction for falsely reporting her phone as stolen, drew laughter from the audience. However, not everyone found it amusing.
Complaint Filed for ‘Uncomradely Behaviour’
A Labour council member wasn’t laughing and filed a formal complaint accusing Streeting of “bullying” and “uncomradely behaviour.” The complaint cites Labour’s policy on bullying and harassment, which includes guidelines against derogatory jokes and offensive remarks.
The Backstory: Louise Haigh’s Resignation
Haigh stepped down as Transport Secretary last month after admitting to falsely reporting her phone as stolen in 2014. She described the incident as a “genuine mistake” and stressed that she did not benefit from it.
Defence or Damage Control?
A source close to Streeting defended the comments, insisting they were made in jest and that he considers Haigh a friend. The Labour Party has responded diplomatically, stating: “All complaints are properly considered in accordance with our rules and processes.”
A Joke Too Far?
While some see the remarks as harmless banter among colleagues, others argue that even light-hearted digs can undermine a culture of respect. Whether this escalates into more than a slap on the wrist remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Streeting’s sense of humour may not land well with everyone.
For now, one thing’s certain: it seems Labour’s internal politics are as lively as its public debates.
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