Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick was unable to name new England football head coach Thomas Tuchel.
The appointment of the top German coach and former Chelsea boss has sparked debate, and some controversy, across the country.
But asked after a speech in Westminster about his opinion on the decision about the new England manager, he said: “I have to confess I haven’t even seen this news while I’ve been here this morning.”
Told it was Tuchel, he added, laughing: “OK, that’s a good choice.”
News of the appointment by the Football Association emerged on Tuesday.
Tuchel is the third overseas manager to take charge of the national side following Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
But some fans have baulked at England having a German manager.
Germany’s ambassador in London Miguel Berger has expressed amusement at some of the coverage of the appointment.
🤣 @TheSun pic.twitter.com/Cg8IYSSV01
— Miguel Berger (@GermanAmbUK) October 16, 2024
Meanwhile, in his speech Mr Jenrick outlined how he believes Britain’s housing crisis should be tackled with far more homes in London and other cities, with residents in suburbs being able to decide on local density levels.
“Rather than settling for urban sprawl, we need to build densely, and we need to build beautifully. We can protect our countryside by better using the space we have,” he said.
“Our plan is simple: to unpick the housing deficit, add the million homes we need, and add them in London, Manchester and our other world cities.”
Giving more details of his proposals, he added: “We will zone urban areas for densification, speeding and simplifying the planning process, and we will work to ensure that residents in the suburbs can decide on densification and share in the value created.”
Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch won the backing of a leading One Nation Tory MP in the contest to be the party’s next leader.
Former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell believes she can give the Conservatives the “reset we need”.
MPs have whittled down the contenders to succeed Rishi Sunak to two, ex-Business Secretary Ms Badenoch and former immigration minister Mr Jenrick, with James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat, Mel Stride and Dame Priti Patel having already been knocked out of the race.
The contest has now gone out to party members to vote for either Ms Badenoch or Mr Jenrick, with the result due to be announced on November 2.
But MPs can still be influential in swaying the debate about which candidate would make the best leader, particularly among their local party members.
Mr Mitchell, a former chairman of the One Nation group of Tory MPs who tend to be on the centre and Left of the party, announced on Wednesday that he was backing Ms Badenoch.
The Sutton Coldfield MP tweeted: “@KemiBadenoch is a fresh and original voice who will give the Conservative Party the reset we need.
“She’s posing the right questions in order to find the best possible solutions.”
Mr Jenrick has won the support of Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies.
He posted on X: “Rob’s commitment to put Wales front and centre has impressed me, as have his plans to stop illegal migration and end mass migration. “
