News and Politics | November 25, 2010 | 0 comments

Tory peer forced to apologise for "poor on benefits would breed" comment

A newly appointed Tory peer has today apologised for saying changes to welfare payments would give people on benefits "every incentive" to "breed".

Howard Flight told the Evening Standard: "We're going to have a system where the middle classes are discouraged from breeding because it's jolly expensive but for those on benefit there is every incentive."

The new peer blames the Lib Dems for forcing David Cameron to agree to bad policies, including cutting child benefit for high earners.

He later said he would like to withdraw the remark.

Prime Minister David Cameron told a news conference: "I don't agree with his comments."

Cameron was in trouble himself today after it was reported that he made a joke about the Speaker of the Commons, comparing him to one of the seven dwarfs.

It was announced last week that Flight, a former MP, would become a member of the House of Lords.

It is not believed that Cameron will block his peerage despite his gaffe.

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