A minister told a female MP he knows “what she looks like in Lycra” during a Commons question session.
Chris Heaton-Harris’s remark came after he jokingly informed Tracey Crouch she was one of the few MPs he follows on Instagram.
Former minister Ms Crouch had asked about cycling and walking facilities in her Chatham and Aylesford constituency.
Ms Crouch was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and her virtual contribution to transport questions was welcomed by Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
As she appeared on screen, Speaker Sir Lindsay said: “It is a pleasure to see Tracey asking this question.
“We miss you, we really do.”
Ms Crouch replied: “I miss you all too.”
Transport minister Mr Heaton-Harris opened his reply to her question by saying: “Firstly may I echo your words, Mr Speaker, and can I say how good it is to see my honourable friend.
“She is one of the few MPs I follow on Instagram and so from this I know what a keen cyclist she is – and, indeed, what she looks like in Lycra.”
Mr Heaton-Harris went on to outline Government funding schemes for councils and offered to help assist her efforts.
