Conservative backbencher calls catering staff ‘servants’

By ELIZABETH BARRETT
Published on 18/01/2013 00:00

A CONSERVATIVE backbencher prompted heckling from the Opposition after appearing to refer to Westminster catering staff as “servants”.

Christopher Chope provoked audible reaction from the Labour backbenches after using the term in the Commons.

Mr Chope, MP for Christchurch said: “The situation last week when I dined on all three nights in the dining rooms and almost nobody else was present. But the service was absolutely fantastic Mr Speaker, because there was three-to-one service. Three servants for each person sitting down.”

Following the comment Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Angela Eagle tweeted: “Tory MP Christopher Chope lets the cat out of the bag by 
referring to HoC waiters and waitresses as ‘servants!”