Revealed: Theresa May and James Cleverly’s heated exchange at meeting of the 1922

Over the weekend James Cleverly made the news after he admitted to smoking marijuana and watching porn in his youth, during an interview on Radio 5 live. The newly elected Tory MP also gave a surprisingly honest answer when it came to a game of ‘snog, marry, avoid’. Cleverly said he would choose to snog Theresa May, marry Yvette Cooper and avoid Isabel Oakeshott, the co-author of Call Me Dave.

While Cleverly’s admissions don’t appear to have done his career much harm yet, Steerpike understands that one of his answers did come back to haunt him when Cleverly came face-to-face with the Home Secretary at Wednesday’s meeting of the 1922 Committee.

Theresa May was speaking at the meeting, with Cleverly sat a mere four rows away from her. As Tory MPs began to chuckle about the pair’s close proximity following his candid interview, Cleverly attempted to break the ice by asking the May a question. He began by telling her that he was a massive fan — adding that she may already be aware of this fact.