Miliband sorry for saying Tory MP was ‘hiding' when she was caring for baby
The Energy Secretary claimed that Claire Coutinho had deliberately missed his statement on climate change to the Commons on Monday.
Pointing out the shadow energy secretary's absence, he said: 'The trouble is we're in a situation now where the shadow secretary of state goes into hiding when there's a statement about the climate crisis, because it's just too embarrassing to try and articulate the Opposition's position.'
However, Ms Coutinho told Mr Miliband to reconsider his remarks, saying that she was looking after her six-month-old son, Rafael. The MP for East Surrey has recently returned to the Commons from maternity leave.
She also claimed that this was an attitude faced by many new mothers when they returned to work.
Other remarks
Kerry McCarthy, the energy minister, also remarked on her prior absence during energy questions on Tuesday.
Ms Coutinho had asked her why the Government was 'offshoring' British industries, and replacing them with dirtier imports with higher emissions.
Ms McCarthy replied: 'Perhaps if [Ms Coutinho] had been here yesterday, she'd have been able to engage with the Secretary of State about that then.'
Ms Coutinho later told MPs that she had been missing from the Commons as she was looking after her son.
Maternity leave for ministers and paid opposition figures, normally shadow secretaries of state, was introduced by the Conservative government in 2021. It entitles them to six months of maternity leave.
She upbraided Mr Miliband as she began her questions to him. She said: 'I will just briefly say that yesterday the Secretary of State said I was hiding, when I was in fact with my six-month-old baby, who I know he's aware of.
'So, on behalf of all young mums who face these kinds of comments from their first few weeks back to work, can I gently suggest that he reflects on his remarks?'
Mr Miliband apologised, telling her: 'I completely respect her decision to be with her young baby, and there was no offence intended. I think it's very, very important that we understand the needs of new parents and indeed parents across the country.'
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