NEWBURY MP Richard Benyon, one of the richest in Parliament, has come under fire for joking that he is a 'working class hero.'
He said that 'deprivation in West Berkshire is when Waitrose runs out of balsamic vinegar.'
Mr Benyon made the jokes this afternoon when he was asked to 'move the Loyal Address'.
He started by speaking about recent atrocities and passing his condolences to the victims and their families.
But later he joked he was a working class hero because he outsed an old Etonian Lib Dem out of the Newbury seat. He said this 'may be why [...] some members consider me a working class hero.'
The speech is historically upbeat and other MPs have made jokes during their turns in the past.
But Mr Benyon came under fire on social media, in light of recent events. Some have labelled the speech 'poor taste.'
One said: 'I'm a constituent of yours, don't care about Brexit. I care about affordable housing. Are you trying to make me homeless?'
Mr Benyon's great-great-grandfather was asked to move the Queen's Speech in 1869. The previous Richard Benyon was also an MP for Berkshire.
Honoured to have been asked to 'move the Loyal Address' this afternoon. Great chance for me to talk about the wonders of West Berks
— Richard Benyon (@RichardBenyonMP) June 21, 2017
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