West Brom MP Tom Watson apologises for calling Gove a 'pipsqueak'

Jul 8 2010 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Post

MP Tom Watson has spoken of his embarrassment after he lost his temper in the House of Commons and condemned a Cabinet Minister as “a miserable pipsqueak of a man”.

The Black Country MP was silenced by the Speaker as he roared abuse at Education Secretary Michael Gove, after Mr Gove confirmed that building projects at nine Black Country schools had been cancelled.

Mr Gove now plans to visit West Bromwich, to meet angry parents.

Earlier in the week, the Department for Education announced that 715 school building projects planned under Labour’s £55 billion Building Schools for the Future project had been scrapped, including 13 in Birmingham - but it claimed that Sandwell was unaffected, and projects in the Black Country borough would go ahead.

But the next day, the Department for Education issued a new statement revealing officials had made a mistake, and nine projects in Sandwell had actually been cancelled.

The confrontation occurred when Mr Gove apologised to the House of Commons for the error.

Mr Watson (Lab West Bromwich East) told him: “The pupils in Sandwell have seen what the new politics is; they have seen the attempt to sneak out a half-spun, half-apology on the BBC; and they have seen the Secretary of State come here humiliated for the second time this week to apologise to them.

“He can embarrass himself; he can disgrace his party; but what is intolerable is that he has cynically raised the hopes of hundreds and thousands of families.”

As Labour colleagues jeered the Government, Mr Watson jabbed his finger at towards the Education Secretary and shouted: “You’re a miserable pipsqueak of a man, Gove. You have . . .”

Although Mr Watson continued speaking, his microphone was turned off at this point and it was impossible to hear what he was saying over the roars of MPs from all parties.

At this point, the Speaker of the Commons, John Bercow, ordered Mr Watson to take the comment back, saying: “I think I heard the term, ‘pipsqueak’. The honourable gentleman must withdraw that term. It is not appropriate.”

Mr Watson replied: “Out of deference to you, Mr Speaker, I withdraw it.”

But Mr Gove said he understood the anger - and offered to come to Sandwell to meet the parents affected.

He said: “I understand the passion that he brings to the issue, and I understand how hard he fights for his constituents.

“I shall be very happy to go to West Bromwich and apologise to those who have been misled by the mistake that has been made.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Watson said: “I do feel embarrassed about losing my temper but I was genuinely angry.

“I am pleased Michael Gove has agreed to visit the constituency and parents who want to meet him should contact me.”