A LOCAL MP has slammed the Prime Minister for his reaction to her heartfelt plea in Parliament.

Tracy Brabin, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, urged Boris Johnson to "moderate" his language on Wednesday evening.

It came in response to the PM referring to the Benn Act - passed to prevent a no-deal Brexit - in his own terms, which included calling it the "Surrender Act".

His rhetoric and disregard for "people" has irked many in the House of Commons.

Ms Brabin's message to Johnson was met with respectful applause by her fellow Labour MPs.

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But, he responded by nonchalantly repeating some of the 'terms' he previously used for the act.

Ms Brabin said: "Wednesday night was possibly the worst day in Parliament.

"The language used by Boris Johnson was not casual and he did not misspeak, it was calculated to whip up division in the country to get this No Deal Brexit through.

"We should be working night and day to unite the country and his insulting response to Paula Sherriff’s plea to dial down the rhetoric, that it was ‘Humbug’, was deeply shocking."

Paula Sherriff, Labour MP for Dewsbury, had passionately criticised the PM on Wednesday, describing his words as "dangerous" and "inflammatory".

In her own speech, Ms Brabin invoked the memory of Jo Cox - whom she succeeded after her murder in 2016 - highlighting the danger of fanning the flames of hatred.

Mr Johnson's response was to say that the best way to honour Mrs Cox would be "to get Brexit done".

The statement has appalled many, including Ms Brabin.

She said: "There were audible gasps in the Chamber when the Prime Minister suggested the best thing to honour Jo Cox’s memory was to ‘get Brexit done’, when we all know she was a passionate campaigner for Remain.

"On Thursday morning, Mr Speaker announced a cross-party Speaker's Committee that will look into behaviour and language in the House of Commons.

"This could not have come soon enough."

In the aftermath of Wednesday's row, Mr Johnson has been advised by other MPs to apologise for his comments - particularly in relation to Mrs Cox.

Ms Sherriff herself was back in Parliament yesterday to discuss the response to the situation.

She said: "Yesterday, I asked the Prime Minister to moderate his language and I desperately wanted to remind him that words have consequences.

"I accept that it's necessary for all of us in this place to reflect on our language and our behaviour.

"After all, I do accept that I have been known to have the odd heckle in here.

"I'm grateful this morning for the solidarity from my fellow MPs, including many on the Government benches."

The Labour MP for Dewsbury then explains how she was "horrified" on Wednesday night to find a tweet from Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, which appeared to mock her and brought on more abuse from others.

She added: "The Minister, this afternoon says his Government wants to stamp out abuse, but how can we believe him when the Prime Minister refers to genuine concerns from female MPs as 'Humbug'.

"The Prime Minister's official spokesperson this morning has confirmed that the Prime Minister has no regrets about the language that he used."

Ms Sherriff then queried Mr Johnson as to whether the tweet sent by Mr Clarke reflects the views of the Government and whether he sticks by his "Humbug" comment.

Jo Cox's widower, tweeted on Wednesday night that he felt "a bit sick" to hear his wife's name "being used in this way."

He stated: "The best way to honour Jo is for all of us (no matter our views) to stand up for what we believe in, passionately and with determination.

"But never to demonise the other side and always hold onto what we have in common."

Mrs Cox was murdered by an extreme rightwing terrorist during the EU referendum campaign.

While Thomas Mair attacked her he said: "This is for Britain”, “keep Britain independent”, and “Britain first”, a court heard during his trial.

He was sentenced to life in prison for murder in November 2016.