It is impossible to say with precision who, or what, drove an angry mob to crowd the Leader of the Opposition and chant the name of child sex offender Jimmy Savile. But it was a reminder that words carry great power.
Boris Johnson continues to refuse to apologise for his false assertion that, as Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Savile. When the Prime Minister uttered this remark in the House of Commons, he did so knowing he had two defences: that MPs cannot be accused of lying in the chamber, nor can they face legal action for their words.
Parliamentary privilege performs a vital function in our democracy. Politicians must not be muzzled by the threat of legal action taken by powerful interest groups. But it confers responsibility, too. That MPs, and especially prime ministers, be disciplined with their language and adhere to the highest standards. And when they fall short, they should apologise, as deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner did after her “scum” comments last year.
Johnson was advised not to say those words by his staff. He did so anyway. He was told to apologise by long-time aide Munira Mirza. He refused and she resigned. Now he faces further criticism from Tory backbenchers, in whose hands his future lies.
Johnson’s comments are not the “cut and thrust” of parliamentary debate. They debase our public life and make more likely the ugly scenes we saw last night. The Prime Minister must withdraw his comments.
