Tom Watson, Labour’s embattled deputy leader, delivered a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon on accusations about the former home secretary Leon Brittan – which proved to be baseless. In response to a point of order by Sir Nicolas Soames, the Conservative MP for Mid Sussex, Watson delivered the following statement about the Brittan allegations which were later dismissed by the police. Watson acknowledged that people might have been angry with his language but did not apologise for his actions:
‘I understand the honourable and right honourable members feel aggrieved that Leon Britain was interviewed by the police and that they’re angry with my use of language. But I’m sure they’d also agree that when anyone is accused of multiple sexual crimes, by numerous completely unrelated sources, the police have a duty to investigate – no matter who it is.
‘My letter was promoted by Jane’s concern that procedures were not followed.
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