Latest news with #AdamJogee
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Andrew Griffith: Tory MP denies making famine remark in Commons
A senior Conservative MP has denied mocking the Irish famine during a debate in the House of Business Secretary Andrew Griffith was accused of making an "offensive" remark about the famine when he addressed the chamber on than one million people died during the famine in Ireland between 1845 and 1852 after the potato crop to a question in the Commons, the shadow secretary said he was not sure if a person could "subsist entirely on a seed potato", before adding: "It may have been tried historically and not with enormous success". 'No reference to Ireland' Labour MP Adam Jogee challenged the remark in a point of order in the Commons today which he said appeared to reference the Irish potato in a statement to BBC News NI, Andrew Griffith said he made "no reference to Ireland whatsoever" and "if you read the debate, you would see that is clearly the case".He added: "At no point was Mr Jogee in the chamber to represent his own constituents or to hear my remarks in context."The shadow secretary was responding to a question from a Liberal Democrat MP about getting Scottish seed potatoes into the European market when he made the remark. 'Offensive and insensitive' When his reply was quoted in the chamber by Mr Jogee today one MP could be heard saying "shocking".The Labour MP, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on Ireland, asked the commons deputy Speaker how best to "remedy any offence"."These words appear to be referencing the tragedy of the Irish potato famine, which, if true, is of course offensive and insensitive and would have taken place in the United Kingdom," he deputy speaker said the chair was not responsible for the shadow secretary of state's remarks.
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Tory MP appeared to make ‘offensive' Irish potato famine remark, Commons told
A senior Conservative MP appeared to make 'offensive and insensitive' comments about the Irish potato famine, the Commons has heard. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith, responding to a question, said he was not sure if a person could 'subsist entirely on a seed potato' before adding it 'may have been tried historically and not with enormous success'. Labour MP Adam Jogee said the words appeared to reference the mid-19th century tragedy, which resulted in around one million deaths after the potato crop failed in successive years. Speaking during a Commons debate on the economy on Wednesday, Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) intervened to raise the seed potato industry. He said: 'We have been crying out to get the best of Scottish seed potatoes into European markets, and therefore I do say thank you to the Government for this, it means a lot to farmers, and I have had very positive comments about it. I am being absolutely fair-minded about that.' Mr Griffith, in his reply, said: 'I am not sure if one can subsist entirely on a seed potato, I think that may have been tried historically and not with enormous success, but I congratulate the honourable member on the success of his seed potato industry.' On Thursday, Mr Jogee (Newcastle-under-Lyme) raised a point of order in connection with the remarks made by Mr Griffith. After Mr Jogee read out the words spoken by Mr Griffith in the debate, one MP could be heard saying: 'Shocking.' Mr Jogee, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on Ireland and the Irish in Britain, added: 'These words appear to be referencing the tragedy of the Irish potato famine which, if true, is of course offensive and insensitive and, of course, would have taken place at the time in the United Kingdom. 'So can you please advise on how best we can remedy any offence caused by outlining the process for an honourable member to withdraw such a statement?' Deputy Speaker Judith Cummins replied: 'The chair is not responsible for the shadow secretary of state's remarks but the honourable member has put his point on the record.'
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Concern over jobs as FedEx confirms Staffordshire closure plan
Concerns have been raised over the future of hundreds of workers after delivery company FedEx announced it was closing its depot in firm said it would be shutting its site at Parkhouse, Newcastle-under-Lyme, as part of its plans to consolidate operations at two new facilities by than 360 people currently work at the site and Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Adam Jogee said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the said no job losses had been announced as part of the changes and it would be working with union and staff representatives to ensure employees were supported. The MP said the community deserved answers and he would be seeking urgent talks with the company."I believe the site is strategically located and should be able to prosper – if the company is willing to work with local stakeholders to explore alternatives," he added. Union Unite said it would be campaigning against the closures, which also include depots at Kingsbury in Warwickshire and Dartford in two new FedEx depots would be based at Marston Gate in Bedfordshire and Atherstone in said a final decision on the closures might not be made for more than two years, which created "immediate uncertainty".The union's general secretary Sharon Graham said: "FedEx UK is a profitable company and their parent organisation in the US makes billions so it is inexcusable that it is making hundreds of job losses to simply maximise profits without a care or thought given to the impact this will have on workers, their families and communities across the UK." A spokesperson for FedEx said it was "openly" speaking to teams about the changes and would continue to do so during the consultation process."No job losses have been announced as part of these proposals and there are no changes for FedEx employees in the short term," they said."As part of announcing our proposal we have also set out our commitment to supporting team members with retraining, access to education and time and resources to explore all options open to them."The firm said it was pleased team members had responded with "openness" to understanding the options and appreciated Unite "being proactive in supporting their members. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
