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David Cameron and the mystery of the 'sexist' chopping board

Does the Prime Minister own kitchen gear emblazoned with one of his more controversial sayings?

Helen Nianias
Wednesday 25 March 2015 09:59 GMT
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The Prime Minister was filmed at his second home in Oxfordshire
The Prime Minister was filmed at his second home in Oxfordshire

David Cameron brought the BBC into his Oxfordshire "second kitchen" earlier this week.

It seemed that Cameron was the proud owner of a chopping board printed with "Calm Down Dear", which could be a reference to the controversial remark the PM made to Labour MP Angela Eagle in the House of Commons.

Eagle, who represents Wallasey, was told to "calm down" by the PM during Prime Minister's Questions in 2011. Downing Street insisted it was "a humorous remark" - echoing the catchphrase from a series of car insurance adverts starring Michael Winner - but not everybody agreed.

Labour's Harriet Harman said it showed Cameron's "patronising and outdated attitude to women".

Cameron has previously spoken of his prowess in the kitchen - telling Woman & Home: "Yesterday I made roast chicken and all the trimmings and my signature dish is probably something slow-cooked like belly of pork or shoulder of lamb."

He added: "I love cooking; it’s a very good way to get your mind off things." Not so therapeutic if you're staring at a reminder of a work gaffe while you're chopping onions, presumably.

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