Minister mistakes compliment for criticism when discussing Jubilee celebrations

During Northern Ireland questions, the minister of state for Northern Ireland Conor Burns was pleasantly surprised by a “rare outbreak of consensus” when DUP MP Gavin Robinson asked about plans for the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Northern Ireland.

Robinson asked the minister to “outline whether he would dedicate significant resources so we can celebrate this historic achievement in style”.

Starting by saying that he “didn’t totally agree with the characterisation of the honourable gentleman”, Conor Burns was corrected. In realising the misunderstanding, he apologised, telling the House that he was “so used to criticism” and that the the “rare outbreak of consensus” passed him by.