DUP MPs responded to concerns about post-Brexit food shortages by joking that people in Scotland should “go to the chippy”, according to Green co-leader Caroline Lucas.
The SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, warned the Commons about the the country potentially running out of food in the event of a no-deal Brexit during a debate on Theresa May’s plan B Brexit deal.
Lucas, who sits in front of DUP MPs, said Blackford’s comments on food shortages and price hikes for the public were met with jokes by members of the Northern Irish contingent, one of whom reportedly said: “Let them go to the chippy instead.”
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Responding to the SNP MP’s speech, Lucas said: “I’m grateful to him [Blackford] giving way because he’s making a very powerful case about what no deal could really look like. Amongst that he said there could be food shortages and crucially that food prices could go up.
“Does he share my anger with the voices behind me that he perhaps didn’t hear, but when he was talking about food prices going up and the fact there could be food shortages, the people behind me were saying ‘Well let them go to the chippy instead’.
“Does he share my anger in the way our constituencies would be affected by a no deal?”
Blackford added: “I’m sorry to hear that that was a remark that was made. This is a really important debate and I think there’s a responsibility that we take these issues seriously. Each and every one of us.”
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