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Calls for Jeremy Corbyn to apologise over 'stupid woman' jibe at Theresa May

He was muttering to himself – but found himself being embroiled in a new Commons controversy.

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Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs

Jeremy Corbyn was speaking under his breath when he appeared to call Theresa May a “stupid woman” during Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mrs May was mocking the Labour leader during a heated debate, telling him to “look behind you” when he was caught on camera appearing to mutter the phrase.

Tory MPs called for him to be ordered to apologise, with West Midlands MP Eddie Hughes saying the incident reflected how Parliament “must set a better example”.

In a statement to the House Mr Corbyn refused to apologise, claiming he had said “stupid people” in a reference to those who were turning the national crisis facing the country into a pantomime.

The incident came as Mr Corbyn clashed with the Prime Minister over the Government’s Brexit deal, calling her decision to delay a vote on it last week a “deeply cynical manoeuvre”.

Mrs May reminded Mr Corbyn he had not tabled his promised no-confidence motion, and had instead tabled an ineffective motion on her leadership.

“I know it’s the pantomime season,” the Prime Minister told the Commons, “is he going to put a confidence vote? Oh yes he is,” she said, prompting backbench Tories MPs to loudly chant “oh no he isn’t”.

She told the Labour leader “look behind you – they are not impressed and neither is the country”.

The Labour leader could be seen muttering what appeared to be the words “stupid woman” under his breath in response.

Former Cannock miner and Tory Party Chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin used a point of order to accuse Mr Corbyn of having uttered the phrase.

Following PMQs, Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes said of Mr Corbyn: "Women in all professions deserve the respect of their male colleagues. In Parliament we must set a better example.”

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant said: “So much for Labour respect for women. No wonder he [Mr Corbyn] is so many points behind Theresa May in all the polls.”

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne claimed the episode had shown Mr Corbyn reveal “his true misogyny”.

Commons Speaker John Bercow – who was accused of calling Cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom a “stupid woman” earlier this year – invited Mr Corbyn to make a statement after viewing a video of the incident.