Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer in heated clash over remarks on European Medicines Agency
Telegraph, 04 Feb 2021
Sir Keir Starmer has apologised after "mishearing" Boris Johnson and accusing him of speaking "complete nonsense" during a heated exchange in the Commons on Wednesday.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson said Sir Keir had previously supported remaining in the European Medicines Agency (EMA) after Brexit.
The Labour leader furiously denied ever making the comment and accused the Prime Minister of speaking "complete nonsense" for a "pre-prepared gag". But Hansard, the official parliamentary record, shows that in January 2017 he did question why the UK would want to leave the body.
A spokesman later admitted Sir Keir had "misheard" Mr Johnson and believed he had said that Labour supported joining the EU's vaccination programme – a different organisation.
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During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson said Sir Keir had previously supported remaining in the European Medicines Agency (EMA) after Brexit.
The Labour leader furiously denied ever making the comment and accused the Prime Minister of speaking "complete nonsense" for a "pre-prepared gag". But Hansard, the official parliamentary record, shows that in January 2017 he did question why the UK would want to leave the body.
A spokesman later admitted Sir Keir had "misheard" Mr Johnson and believed he had said that Labour supported joining the EU's vaccination programme – a different organisation.
Subscribe to The Telegraph on YouTube ► https://bit.ly/3idrdLH
Get the latest headlines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Telegraph.co.uk and YouTube.com/TelegraphTV are websites of The Telegraph, the UK's best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.
