Rory Stewart is emerging as something of a dark horse in the Tory leadership contest. But while the international development secretary is an impressive candidate he is not immune to making a mishap. Richard Madeley reminded him this morning of a particular low point for Stewart: his made-up ‘fact’ about Brexit –that 80 per cent of people backed Theresa May’s deal – during a radio interview last year:
RM: Why did you say that?
RS: It was a weird thing to say. It was straight after it was announced, and I wanted to say that I felt the vast majority of the country were in the centre ground and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Actually as soon as I said it, I apologised 15 seconds later.
Mr S admires Stewart’s ability to say sorry but wonders if his loyalty to May’s deal might end up counting against him…
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