James Cleverly admits calling MP ‘s***’ – but denies calling Stockton a ‘s***hole’, a source has said.

The home secretary has denied insulting the northern town during this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions, after Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham asked about the levels of child poverty in the constituency.

But making a point of order on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Cunningham said the audio had been “checked, checked, and checked again” – and the comment brought “shame” on the minister and the government.

“He is clearly unfit for his high office,” the MP said.

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After multiple calls to apologise, including the Tory mayor of Teesside Lord Houchen, a source close to Mr Cleverly told Sky News: “James made a comment. He called Alex Cunningham a s*** MP. He apologises for unparliamentary language.

“As was made clear yesterday, he would never criticise Stockton. He’s campaigned in Stockton and is clear that it is a great place.”

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It is not the first time Mr Cleverly’s language has been brought into question.

Last week, the home secretary was accused of calling the government’s Rwanda scheme to send asylum seekers to the east African nation “bats***” – a claim he repeatedly refused to deny.

Asked about the Stockton remark, a spokesman for Mr Cleverly said: “He did not say that, and would not. He’s disappointed people would accuse him of doing so.”

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