PMQs: A lesson in calling the Prime Minister a liar

Huge ructions at PMQs. Ian Blackford, of the SNP, said Mrs May had been ‘misleading the house inadvertently or otherwise’ over her EU agreement. Instant panic. Roars of outrage at the suggestion that the prime minister had lied. Mr Speaker snapped to his feet. The house paused while he delivered his ruling which centred on two adverbs.

He revealed that when accusing the PM of fibbing it’s advisable to say that it was done ‘inadvertently’. But to add the phrase ‘or otherwise’ suggests that Mrs May tells lies as a matter of policy. Surely not!

‘There must be no imputation of dishonour,’ said Mr Bercow, clearly enjoying the semantic kerfuffle and his position at its centre.

Mr Blackford tried again. The PM had been misleading the house ‘perhaps inadvertently,’ he said. More uproar. Another scolding from the Chair. The word ‘perhaps’ was out of order. At his third attempt Mr Blackford dropped the ‘perhaps’ and said the PM had been misleading the house in a state of blissful ignorance.