Dominic Raab smirks after getting Paul O’Grady’s name wrong in Parliament after powerful tribute from MP

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Dominic Raab is facing wrath after saying Paul O’Grady’s name wrong incorrectly in Parliament, before smirking over his mistake.

On Tuesday March 28, the celebrated performer and presenter, also known by his drag persona Lily Savage, died at the age of 67, his husband Andre Portasio announced in a heartfelt statement.

Tributes have come pouring in from fans and other well-known individuals in the entertainment industry, as well as the royal family, while Sir Chris Bryant paid tribute to O’Grady in the House of Commons in a powerful speech.

‘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,’ he began.

‘But Lily was performing at the height of the Aids crisis in 1987, when police officers raided the pub, arrested her amongst others. They were wearing rubber gloves because supposedly they were protecting themselves from contracting HIV from touching gay men.

‘Lily amazingly said at the time: “Oh lads, you’ve come to do the washing up. That’s great,”’ with Lily’s famous quote sparking laughter from the other politicians in the chamber.

Mr Raab had to be corrected after making the glaring blunder (Picture: Rex/Parliament.tv

‘Her alter ego Paul O’Grady campaigned 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?’

Sir Bryant’s suggestion was met by cheers, before Mr Raab stood up to speak… making a huge blunder when saying O’Grady’s name.

‘I totally agree with him, Paul Grayson was an incredible comic but he also…’ he began, trailing off as other MPs started to point out his error.

Fans have been sharing their favourite memories of O’Grady over the years (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Mr Raab grinned in response to the grumbles, before correcting himself.

‘Paul O’Grady. But in terms of Lily Savage, also I think some of that comedy broke glass ceilings and broke boundaries in a way that certainly politicians would struggle to do. I agree with that.’

He continued: ‘I also think it shows how we need greater, more rambunctious free speech, and we need to avoid the wokery and the limitations on comedy, which I’m afraid both of them would have had no time for.’

The jeers that Mr Raab’s final comment sparked contrasted with the cheers Sir Chris had received for his heartwarming tribute.

Lily Savage has been credited with helping to bring drag into the mainstream (Picture: JMEnternational/Getty Images)

One person tweeted after watching clip from Parliament: ‘Possibly one of the most painful Parliament moments in history. Dominic Raab pays tribute to ‘Paul Grayson’ before saying that we need to avoid ‘wokery’ in comedy.’

‘Only Dominic Raab could carelessly namecheck Paul Grayson during #PMQs when he was being asked to acknowledge the passing of Paul O’Grady… The man’s incompetence knows no boundaries…’ someone else wrote.

In the statement announcing O’Grady’s death, his husband Portasio said: ‘It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.

‘We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.

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‘He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.

‘I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Dominic Raab for comment.

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