Kemi Badenoch was called out by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle during Prime Minister’s Questions for the language she used towards Labour MPs.
On Wednesday, Badenoch faced off against Keir Starmer for the first time since he announced he would be resigning as Labour leader.
In her questions to the PM, Badenoch accused some Labour ministers of ‘betraying’ Starmer.
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After criticising Rachel Reeves’ record as chancellor, Badenoch pointed out that energy secretary Ed Miliband was not sat on the front bench with Starmer, saying he was instead allied with Andy Burnham.
The Tory leader went on to accuse Labour MPs of sticking “400 knives” in the prime minister’s back, before asking: “Does the PM feel betrayed by the people he got into Parliament?”
It was at this point that the Speaker interjected, calling out Badenoch for her language.
“Let us think about the language we use because when we leave this chamber don’t be surprised when constituents feel they can use the same language,” he said.
“Let us show a little bit more decorum and respect for each other,” the Speaker added.
Badenoch’s comments were also called out by Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.
After acknowledging “how difficult it was” for the prime minister to make his resignation statement on Monday, Davey said: “It’s an important reminder, as we debate issues robustly in this house, that we are all human and it’s something that everyone should remember.”
Davey then paused and gave a cold stare to the Tory front bench.
There was anger from some Labour voices as well towards Badenoch’s tone, with one Labour source reportedly labelling it “gutter politics.”