Dominic Raab gets Paul O’Grady’s name wrong in cringeworthy PMQs moment

Sir Chris said: “I don’t know whether the Deputy Prime Minister ever met Lily Savage or has ever spent a night out at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, but Lily was… I can take him some time if he wants to go?

“Her alter ego Paul O’Grady campaigned acerbically and hilariously for elderly people, for care workers, against oppression of every kind.

“Isn’t it time we in this country celebrated our naughty, hilarious drag queens and comics of every kind who inspire us to be a better and more generous nation?”

Mr Raab replied: “I totally agree with him: Paul Grayson was an incredible comic…”

Elsewhere during the Commons sparring session at midday, the Deputy PM hit back at Ms Rayner over her previous Tory “scum” jibe.

The deputy Labour leader referred to the Government’s anti-social behaviour crackdown and bullying allegations against the Deputy Prime Minister, which he denies, in her first question.

Ms Rayner said: “This week the Government announced their so-called anti-social behaviour policy.

“It’s only taken 13 years and look I’ll give him some credit the Deputy Prime Minister knows first-hand the misery caused by thugs and their intimidating behaviour.

“Lurking with menace, exploding with fits of rage, creating a culture of fear, and maybe even throwing things.

“So can I ask him, under his new anti-social behaviour does he think more bullies will be brought to justice?”

Mr Raab replied: “I can reassure the House I’ve never called anyone scum.”

After huge cheers erupted on the Tory benches, he continued: “But if the Right Honorable Lady is serious about standing up for communities and people who suffer the scourge of anti-social behaviour, she’d back our plan to deal more swiftly with these issues to make sure we ban drugs beyond the convention ones, give police the powers they need.

“And if they really want to protect the public they will back our plans for parole reform to make sure the murderers, the terrorists, the child killers are not allowed out free for them to threaten other people and reintroduce the ministerial veto that side took away.”