A Norfolk MP is at the centre of a major political storm after being widely mocked for his claim that he could not afford his mortgage on his ministerial salary of almost £120,000.
George Freeman has been in the spotlight ever since he revealed that part of the reason he stepped down as science minister was because he was struggling with the rising payments. As a backbench MP he is able to boost his salary with second jobs.
His comments - which have made national headlines and been the focus of radio phone-ins - have infuriated voters in his Mid Norfolk constituency as well as senior local Conservatives, one of whom reacted with an expletive when asked for his reaction.
Labour has leapt on Mr Freeman's remarks to brand the Tories out of touch and to blame the short-lived premiership of fellow Norfolk MP Liz Truss for creating mortgage woes for millions.
Yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer, the party's leader, used his first question at Prime Minister's Questions to highlight the comments to score political points against Rishi Sunak.
It capped a dismal few days for Mr Freeman, who had already infuriated fellow Tories for an interview in which he said he believed Labour would win the next election.
He was also left embarrassed earlier this week after mistakenly sending a letter nominating him for a knighthood to 110 Conservative colleagues.
Voters in Dereham, in the heart of his constituency, were unimpressed by his antics when canvassed for their views by an EDP reporter yesterday, with many questioning whether the MP - who has already said he intends to stand again at the next election - was still interested in representing the area.
WHAT IS THE ROW OVER HIS MORTGAGE?
When Mr Freeman stepped down as science minister in November he said he wanted to focus on his Mid Norfolk constituency.
But in a recent blog post he said one factor was that he couldn't afford to pay his rising mortgage on a ministerial salary.
Mr Freeman, who has been Mid Norfolk MP since 2010, would have been receiving an annual salary of around £118,300. However, he will now be able to increase his earnings.
This is because although his MP’s salary of £86,584 is less than what he was earning as a minister, he is now able take on lucrative second jobs, subject to approval by anti-corruption watchdog the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.
He does not currently have any second jobs, but does have unpaid roles with a number of non-profit projects.
Mr Freeman had said in the blog post: “I was so exhausted, bust and depressed that I was starting to lose the irrepressible spirit of optimism, endeavour, teamwork and progress which are the fundamentals of human achievement.
"And because my mortgage rises this month from £800pcm to £2,000, which I simply couldn’t afford to pay on a ministerial salary.
"We're in danger of making politics something only hedge fund donors, young spin doctors and failed trade unionists can afford to do."
WHAT DID SIR KEIR SAY?
His comments have caused a stir and prompted Labour leader Sir Keir to seize on them to rile the prime minister.
Sir Keir started PMQs on Wednesday by saying: “This week I met one of the employees at Iceland in Warrington, Phil.”
After being interrupted by heckling during his question, Sir Keir added: “Laughing at an employee at Iceland who’s struggling with his mortgage, shame.
“He told me that his mortgage is going up by a staggering £1,000 a month, prime minister. He doesn’t want other averages, other people, other stories, that’s what’s happening to him.
“If the member for Mid-Norfolk (George Freeman) on a £120,000 can't afford this Tory government, how on earth can people like Phil?”
He added: "One of the most difficult experiences of any member of this House is speaking to those at the sharp end of this government’s cost-of-living crisis. So nobody could fail to be moved by the plight of (Mr Freeman).
“His mortgage has gone up £1,200 a month, he’s been forced to quit his dream job to pay for it. A Tory MP counting the cost of Tory chaos. After 14 years, have we finally discovered what they meant when they said 'we’re all in this together'?"
Mr Sunak replied: “Thanks to this government, Phil and millions of other workers, not just at Iceland but across the country, are benefitting this month in their pay packet for a tax cut worth £100s for someone on an average salary."
WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION?
Mr Freeman's comments have caused embarrassment to his party. One local Tory source used an expletive when asked for his views on Mr Freeman's remarks.
In more measured language, he added: "Those comments were ill-advised and came across as having a tin ear. The public are not stupid and some things politicians might think are probably better kept private."
WHAT ABOUT HIS KNIGHTHOOD NOMINATION?
Mr Freeman made more headlines on Tuesday night, when a letter from scientists nominating him for a knighthood was mistakenly sent to 110 of his Tory colleagues.
The letter was signed by three leading scientists, backing him for a knighthood for services to science and public service.
The gushing document claimed he is an "outspoken champion" and a "defining force" worthy of the top honour.
It added that he had been “strikingly non partisan” and had “won the respect of colleagues across all parties.”
It was reportedly sent in error by one of his junior staffers, who was trying to forward the letter to Mr Freeman, and was then leaked to the press.
Mr Freeman has declined to comment.
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