Keir Starmer called out for 'disgusting' jibe at Welsh MP during PMQs
After Starmer said the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers" unless tougher controls are not introduced on immigration, Liz Saville-Roberts stood up to question his change in stance when he used to speak of "compassion and dignity" for migrants.
She questioned whether there is any belief he holds "which survives a week".
In response, Starmer said that he consistently believes Saville-Roberts "talks rubbish".
READ MORE: Nigel Farage praises Keir Starmer for immigration speech
Saville-Roberts said: "This Prime Minister once spoke of compassion and dignity for migrants and for defending free movement.
"Now he talks of islands of strangers and taking back control. Somebody here has to call this out, Mr Speaker.
"It seems the only principle he consistently defends is whichever he last heard in a focus group.
"I ask him, is there any belief he holds which survives a week in Downing Street?"
Starmer replied: "Yes the belief that she talks rubbish."
"Mr Speaker, I want to lead a country where we pull together and walk into the future as neighbours and as communities, not as strangers. The loss of control of migration by the last government put all that at risk – that's why we're fixing the system based on principles of control, selection and fairness.'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared to erupt into laughter next to him.
No intervention was made by the Speaker.
People on social media have called Starmer's comment "disgusting" and "classless".
The Plaid Cymru MP said the Prime Minister's response showed she had 'struck a nerve', and that the faces of Labour MPs in the chamber suggested that 'plenty of them know [she] was right'.
READ MORE: Yvette Cooper squirms in GMB grilling on Keir Starmer speech
Speaking out after PMQs, she said: "The Prime Minister's outburst showed that my question struck a nerve. The expressions on the faces of many Labour MPs told their own story – plenty of them know I was right.
"If his convictions change with the political weather, it's no surprise that support for Labour in Wales, as across Britain, is falling through the floor."
Starmer was also called out on Monday after saying people living in the country 'should speak English' as his Government outlined plans to tighten immigration controls – including an end to all visas for care workers.
Starmer posted on Twitter/X: "If you want to live in the UK, you should speak English. That's common sense. So we're raising English language requirements across every main immigration route."
The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, said Starmer's speech contained 'divisive language', while Scottish Care chief executive Donald Macaskill said Starmer had been echoing the racist 20th-century Tory politician Powell.
In 1968, Powell criticised the rapid influx of immigrants from the Commonwealth to the UK in his 'Rivers of Blood' speech.
In it, he said: "For reasons which they could not comprehend, they found themselves made strangers in their own country."
Labour are battling against a surge in support for Reform UK, who won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election and council seats across England earlier this month.
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