Outrage as Conservative backbencher labels nationalist MPs ‘work-shy’ and 'lazy'

It comes as the row over ending the “remote Parliament” continues.

A Conservative MP has been widely criticised after calling socialist and nationalist MPs “work-shy” in a tweet this morning.

Henry Smith, the member of Parliament for Crawley, in West Sussex, made the comments after Labour and SNP MPs voiced opposition to plans that would end remote sessions in the House of Commons.

“Not that I should be surprised by the lazy left,” the 51-year-old told followers on Twitter, “but interesting how work-shy socialist and nationalist MPs tried to keep the remote Parliament going beyond 2 June.”

Henry Smith, the member of Parliament for Crawley, in West Sussex, made the comments after Labour and SNP MPs voiced opposition to plans that would end remote sessions in the House of Commons.

One SNP MP said the tweet showed “seething contempt for public safety”.

MPs are currently able to participate in parliamentary proceedings via webcam, but Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg indicated last week that he planned to end the practice from June 1, when lockdown restrictions in England begin to ease.

But many SNP MPs oppose the move, claiming that it would put lives at risk if they began travelling hundred of miles between Westminster and their constituencies in Scotland.

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner labelled Smith’s comments “nonsense”.

“We have all really tried to keep cross party working on coronavirus calling fellow MPs ‘lazy’ and ‘work-shy’ is poor Henry."

“Many colleagues from all sides of the House and their staff have been working very hard for our constituents during the lockdown,” she added.

Her colleague Lloyd Russell-Moyle told the Tory “this is totally below you.”

The SNP’s Pete Wishart tweeted: “Here is the view of the Conservative backbench. Objecting to 650 people from across the UK congregating in a confined dilapidated building in London during a pandemic is 'laziness'.

“The seething contempt for public safety obvious for everyone to see.”

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