A junior Brexit minister has tweeted a crude joke about “Dyson ball cleaners” on a crucial day of votes on the EU withdrawal agreement.
Chris Heaton-Harris was appointed to his post as parliamentary under-secretary for exiting the European Union in 2018 following a string of cabinet resignations.
But having posted the joke on Tuesday, the Conservative MP was criticised for not having more serious matters to attend given the circumstances,
“My mate got one of those Dyson Ball Cleaners in the sales. Unfortunately, he misunderstood what it was for; which is why I'm now taking him to our local A&E,” he tweeted.
The joke was posted hours before MPs were due to vote on a series of amendments that are likely to shape the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Some Twitter users responded with astonishment.
Marlon Kameka replied to the tweet, saying: “Glad to see the MP who works in the Department for Exiting the European Union is taking Brexit so seriously”
Another Twitter user, Mike Harrison, said: “Wow on today of all days! I thought you’d have something better to do.”
Mr Heaton-Harris declined to comment when contacted by The Independent.
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