Andy Burnham apologises after PMQs comment on Ann Widdecombe murder case

Ann Widdecombe was found dead in her home in July (Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire) Andy Burnham has apologised after he appeared to breach the presumption of innocence in the court case dealing with Ann Widdecombe’s murder. Responding to Reform leader Nigel Farage at yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, the PM referred to an ‘individual’ who was ‘responsible for the murder’ of the ex-Tory MP in July. However, the legal process remains in its early stages and no plea has yet been entered. Joshua Kerry, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11 and a trial before a High Court judge is scheduled for June 8 next year. Last week, Kerry appeared in court again, facing a new allegation of preparing terrorist acts including against Farage. After his comment at PMQs, the Conservatives said Burnham had ‘publicly spoken as though a man awaiting trial has already been convicted of murder.’ Make sense of the mad world of British politics Want to understand how what goes on in Westminster actually affects your life? Get analysis of what the biggest stories mean straight to your inbox every week. Sign up here. Tory shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman said: ‘It’s directly contrary to the rule of law, it is a breach of the presumption of innocence, it is misleading to the House. ‘And in any other forum it would be a contempt of court, which could be used to suggest the defendant had been prejudged on the merits of a case.’ Andy Burnham made the gaffe during PMQs on Wednesday (Picture: Reuters) Words spoken by MPs within the House of Commons chamber are protected by parliamentary privilege. This means they have immunity from being found in contempt of court for anything said during proceedings in the House – a privilege that dates back to the 17th century. However, the self-imposed sub judice rule prevents MPs from referring to matters awaiting adjudication in a court of law within debates, questions and motions. Joshua Kerry appeared in court again last week (Picture: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire) Today, House of Commons leader Sir Alan Campbell said: ‘The Prime Minister has acknowledged that he misspoke… ‘He said that he misspoke, he has apologised, and he has corrected the record. ‘There isn’t an excuse for mispeaking in the House, and I’m not trying to explain that away, but this Prime Minister is characterised by an authenticity and a passion in the way that he responds. ‘It’s not unusual either for prime ministers or for anybody else to speak in the House, as long as you correct the record, which he has done, then I think that should be put into perspective.’ Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

The prime minister was accused of a ‘breach of the presumption of innocence’

Former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe.Andy Burnham has been forced to issue a correction after telling MPs that a man was “responsible for the murder” of Ann Widdecombe.The prime minister made the statement despite the fact that no one has been found guilty over the killing of the former Tory MP.Joshua Kerry, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.A trial before a High Court judge is scheduled for June 8 next year, and a plea and case management hearing on January 29.Burnham commented on Widdecombe’s death at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday.According to the Commons library, MPs should not refer in debates, questions and motions to matters awaiting adjudication in court, to avoid influencing the outcome.Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman called on the PM to apologise.He said: “A man is innocent until proven guilty. The presumption of innocence goes back to Magna Carta. It applies without exception.“But the prime minister of the United Kingdom has just publicly spoken as though a man awaiting trial has already been convicted of murder.”A spokeswoman for the PM said on Thursday that a correction was being issued to what Burnham had said.Asked by reporters if this showed Burnham needs to be more careful when speaking, she said the prime minister’s “style is about having frank discussions in the open that contribute to transparent public debate”.Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.Related...'Deeply Revealing': Zack Polanski Hits Back At Andy Burnham After PM Rules Out Deal With GreensAnn Widdecombe Was Killed In A 'Targeted Attack', Counter-Terror Police SayPolice Urge People Not To Speculate On 'Motive' Of Ann Widdecombe's Alleged Murder

Mr Burnham referred in the House of Commons to the “individual responsible for the murder”, despite the legal process still being in its early stages