JACOB Rees-Mogg has been left red-faced after poking fun at the SNP over apparent references to the Battle of Bannockburn.
The Tory minister taunted Scottish MPs after being asked about England-centric coverage of the Euros on the BBC.
Pete Wishart, questioning the Leader of the House in the Commons, made a tongue in cheek reference to England’s victory over Germany in the round of 16.
He said: “I suppose the first thing to do is acknowledge this week’s sporting success. I’m sure the whole House will want to congratulate Andy Murray’s stunning progress to the third round at Wimbledon.
“And apparently there was some football game on too.”
He continued: “Now we’re getting rid of EVEL [English votes for English laws], how about we get ESEV – English sports for English viewers. Just so that Scottish viewers on the BBC don’t have to endlessly watch that Gazza goal scored against us and we’re spared from endless references to 1966 when we’re watching Croatia or Denmark.”
The SNP MP then called for a debate about ministerial resignations – saying Matt Hancock losing his job for having an affair was “akin to Al Capone going down for tax evasion”.
Wishart also demanded answers on the end of furlough payments and the EU Settlement Scheme.
Referencing a recent row about imports to Northern Ireland, he concluded: “Sometimes it seems this government is more interested in sausages than people.”
“Haggis to that, I think,” Rees-Mogg replied, before accusing the SNP of hypocrisy.
He added: “What I would say to [Wishart] when he complains about references to 1966 is pots and kettles because we often hear from the SNP about 1314. So I think 1966 is a little bit more recent history than 1314.”
However, SNP MP Gavin Newlands turned the tables on Rees-Mogg, noting that he was the last person to mention the date of the battle in the Commons.
Posting evidence from the Hansard record, Newlands tweeted: “In response to Pete Wishart's colourfully put, but perfectly reasonable point abt BBC Network's coverage of #EURO2020, inc perpetual 1966 references, Jacob Rees-Mogg retorts that the SNP are always banging on abt 1314!
“The last person to bring it up was, checks notes, Jacob...”
In response to @PeteWishart's colourfully put, but perfectly reasonable point abt BBC Network's coverage of #EURO2020, inc perpetual 1966 references, Jacob Rees-Mogg retorts that @theSNP are always banging on abt 1314!
— Gavin Newlands MP 🎗 (@GavNewlandsSNP) July 1, 2021
The last person to bring it up was, *checks notes*, Jacob... pic.twitter.com/VJan9vYp8n
The Tory minister went on to insist that the winding down of the furlough scheme was “well announced and well planned” but warned “there is not unlimited money”.
He also hailed the apparent success of the settlement scheme, claiming the Home Office has handled the process “extraordinarily well and efficiently”.
That’s despite the scheme being extended at the last minute yesterday due to a backlog of applications.
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