Burnham told to apologise over Ann Widdecombe murder case comments during PMQs

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Andy Burnham has been told to apologise for his comments regarding the murder of Ann Widdecombe .

The Prime Minister was criticised for saying an “individual” was “responsible for the murder” of Miss Widdecombe, despite the legal process still being in its early stages.

He commented on the former Conservative minister and Reform UK ’s justice spokeswoman during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

Shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman said Mr Burnham’s remarks were a “breach of the presumption of innocence”.

In a point of order, shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman told MPs: “A man is innocent until proven guilty. The presumption of innocence goes back to Magna Carta . It applies without exception.

“But the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has just publicly spoken as though a man awaiting trial has already been convicted of murder.

“It’s directly contrary to the rule of law, it is a breach of the presumption of innocence, it is misleading to the House, and in any other forum it would be a contempt of court, which could be used to suggest the defendant had been prejudged on the merits of a case.

“And may I ask your guidance on this, Madam Deputy Speaker, as to whether the Prime Minister needs to apologise, to withdraw the statement and to correct the record immediately?”

Deputy Speaker Nusrat Ghani replied: “The content of ministers’ speeches and answers are not a matter for the chair, but the Treasury frontbench will have heard that point of order.”

Joshua Kerry, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Miss Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her property in Haytor on Dartmoor , Devon .

A trial before a High Court judge is scheduled for June 8 next year, and a plea and case management hearing on January 29.

Kerry, of Byrley Road, Rotherham , South Yorkshire , has also been charged with a terror plot against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage .

Words spoken by MPs in the House of Commons are protected by parliamentary privilege.