Jeremy Corbyn’s office brands Tory MPs ‘contemptible’ for mocking green tie he wore for Grenfell victims

Victims’ families in Commons public gallery as Labour leader subjected to laughter at Prime Minister’s Questions

Jeremy Corbyn’s office has branded Conservative MPs “contemptible” for mocking a green tie which he wore in the House of Commons chamber in a mark of respect for the victims of Grenfell Tower.

Relatives of those who died in the 2017 fire tragedy were in the public gallery of the Commons ahead of a debate on the official report into the disaster.

Theresa May – prime minister at the time of the fire – was seen to try to hush Tory MPs who laughed at the Labour leader’s bright green tie, mouthing “It’s about Grenfell” at them.

The mockery was sparked at Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons by a comment made as Mr Corbyn paid tribute to outgoing Commons Speaker John Bercow, praising him for “reducing some of the strange customs and strange garments people wear in this building”.

As Tory MPs jeered, Mr Corbyn retorted: “I know you’re all jealous of my tie, but it’s OK.”

Backbench MP Huw Merriman later returned to the subject, telling Mr Bercow, who like him was sporting a red tie: “It’s a pleasure to see you in your Arsenal tie. I am wearing mine as well. It’s a pity that the leader of the opposition is not wearing his own.” The trio are all fans of the north London football club, and there was no indication that the comment was linked to the earlier jibes.

The mockery sparked fury from Labour MP David Lammy, who said: “Shame on the fools who mocked Jeremy Corbyn for wearing a green tie in solidarity with the 72 Grenfell Tower victims at PMQs.

“At best, it shows unawareness of those whose lives were lost due to cuts, deregulation and the degradation of social housing. At worst it shows contempt.”

And a senior spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: “I think that is fairly contemptible because as you will be aware he was wearing a green tie as a mark of respect for the victims of the Grenfell disaster.

“Those Tory MPs mocking his tie would be better supporting justice for the families and victims of the Grenfell fire and those who have died in similar conflagration and to deliver safety and protection for people living in tower blocks around the country.”