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Burnham asks for his Widdecombe remarks to be corrected
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Andy Burnham has requested a correction to Parliament's official record after stating an "individual" was "responsible for the murder" of Ann Widdecombe during Prime Minister's Questions.
- The remarks sparked calls for an apology, with critics arguing they breached the "presumption of innocence" since the accused has not yet entered a plea or stood trial.
- Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with Widdecombe's murder in July, with a trial scheduled for June next year and a plea hearing in January.
- Conservative shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman accused Burnham of violating the sub judice rule, urging a formal withdrawal and apology from the prime minister.
- A No 10 spokeswoman confirmed a correction to Hansard has been issued, and Sir Alan Campbell stated Burnham has apologized and corrected the record, emphasizing that misspeaking in the House, while regrettable, is not uncommon.
