The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Tory MP considers legal action over claims he insulted Cameron

Patrick Mercer allegedly called the Prime Minister a "despicable creature without any redeeming features".

By Samira Shackle Published 14 November 2011 11:48

The Conservative MP Patrick Mercer is considering legal action over claims that he called David Cameron a "despicable creature without any redeeming features".

The Sunday Mirror and the Sunday People both carried reports yesterday that Mercer had made a series of offensive remarks about the Prime Minister during a private function. Allegedly, he told a fellow guest that "a beggar off the street" would be preferable in Downing Street, and called his party leader "the worst politician in British history since William Gladstone".

It is also claimed that Mercer said Cameron would be forced out within months: "He'll go in the spring. He'll resign in the spring." Asked where the Prime Minister had gone wrong, Mercer allegedly replied: "Well, he was born."

Mercer has refused to be drawn on the comments, saying only that he had "a conversation with a number of people" at the event, and that the recordings had been obtained by "subterfuge". He strongly denied that the recordings back up the claims that he insulted the Prime Minister.

"I have now put this in the hands of my lawyers," Mercer told the Telegraph. "They have informed me to say nothing, either negative or positive, to anyone."

While Downing Street has yet to comment, the Conservative Party said that such comments would not necessarily require disciplinary action. Mercer, the MP for Newark, is a well-known critic of Cameron, and was sacked from his frontbench four years ago after making inappropriate comments about ethnic minority soldiers. He was one of the Conservative MPs who rebelled last month over a referendum on EU membership.

Special Offer: Get 12 issues of New Statesman magazine for just £12

Tags: Conservatives David Cameron

More from Samira Shackle

17 comments

Mon, 2011-11-14 15:26 — Trevor (not verified)

The pot calling the kettle black.

Still, "despicable creature without any redeeming features" should be the standard dictionary definition for Tory.

Mon, 2011-11-14 17:36 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

Standard dictionary definition of a socialist, what would that be, oh long-headed one?

Mon, 2011-11-14 17:47 — Hugh Markey (not verified)

Surely not in this day and age. Cashiering is a barbaric custom; ripping off epaulettes, insignia and badges, even brass buttons, is something out of a Hollywood epic, or simply Victoriana.
A stiff drink and a revolver - another dishonourable way out.
Just let Mercer re-join his regiment and when he has done a few tours of Afghanistan he can return to the House of Commons honour intact.

White Feather

Wed, 2011-11-23 14:59 — AlmosJustice (not verified)

@Fergus Pickering. Why you right wing neocon trolls bother to try and defend either of these despicable (tory) creatures is beyond me!? Are you bored of sitting in your counting house and scheming your next jolly gamble with the country's economy? Or figuring out how you can pay even less tax in your tax haven hidey hole. God we would be such a happier country without your type.....come the revolution....

Mon, 2011-11-14 23:41 — Graeme Hancocks (not verified)

But he is a "despicable creature without any redeeming features". Quite mild really. He was just being honest, not usually a tory trait admittedly.

Mon, 2011-11-14 11:58 — swatantra nandanwar

Lets have the recordings made public then we can judge for ourselves.
The man is an absolute disgrace and full credit to The Mirror for exposing him.

Mon, 2011-11-14 11:57 — Des Demona (not verified)

Fair comment surely?

Mon, 2011-11-14 12:09 — Robert Taggart

Mercer has our vote !

Mon, 2011-11-14 12:31 — celeriac (not verified)

It still baffles me how crackpots like Mercer get elected in the first place. Why do we never learn?

Tue, 2011-11-15 04:06 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

The despicable creature without any redeeming features is obviously Blair as I am sure all you socialists will agree. Yeah!

Tue, 2011-11-15 04:56 — Moazzam Clegg (not verified)

why are people like patrick mercenary even in uk politics? who do they represent? what a load of bollox

"They have informed me to say nothing, either negative or positive, to anyone."

does that extend to the missus?

"it's pie & mash tonight pat, how do you feel?"

"strictly no comment"

Mon, 2011-11-14 13:19 — Freeman2

swatantra nandanwar writes, 'The man is an absolute disgrace... '

Let me just get this straight: an MP who criticises Cameron is 'an absolute disgrace'? Am I read the NS or Tory Groupie News?

Mon, 2011-11-14 13:40 — swatantra nandanwar

Mercer is a disgrace for the comments he made on ethnic minority service personnel, and over his stance on the EU.
Mercer is also a disgrace for maligning the good intentions of Dave, a former member of the Bullingdon Club, especially when they have no feasible alternative Plan B to put in place.