We all know that politicians can get a bit carried away at times, but this really takes the biscuit.
Tory MP Rory Stewart was speaking with Emma Barnett on BBC5 when he suddenly made the wild claim that 80% of the British public backed Theresa May's Brexit plan.
“80% of the British public support this deal….
— Radio 5 Live on BBC Sounds (@bbc5live) November 15, 2018
“I’m producing a number to try to illustrate what I believe…
“I totally apologise for that and I take that back”
Bizarre moment as Govt minister @RoryStewartUK invents #Brexit stat in interview with @EmmaBarnett. pic.twitter.com/QtZvts7mdM
In absolute shock, Barnett asked him where he'd got that figure from only to have Stewart walk back from the point before admitting he'd made it up and apologising.
I guess he must be a little distracted, what with the Government currently falling apart around him...
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel