Tory MP Andrew Bridgen defends Jacob Rees Mogg over Grenfell fire row and says he would have escaped as hes clever

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A TORY MP has defended Jacob Rees-Mogg in the Grenfell row and suggested he would have escaped the fire because he’s “clever”.

The MP for North West Leicestershire was forced to sorry after he tried to explain the Commons Leader’s “clumsy” comments.

Andrew Bridgen implied Mogg would have escaped the fire as he is clever and would have ignored the fire brigade’s advice

Mr Rees-Mogg sparked fury after he said he would have ignored the Fire Brigade’s “stay put” policy and quit the building as it was “common sense”.

“I think if either of us were in a fire, whatever the fire brigade said, we would leave the burning building,” he said.

“It just seems the common sense thing to do. And it is such a tragedy that that didnt happen.”

Yesterday rapper Stormzy called on him to resign, topping off an awkward start to the Tories’ election campaign.

Speaking to Radio 4’s PM, Mr Bridgen said: 2Jacob is a good friend of mine and he is an extremely compassionate intelligent human being.

“His comments surrounding Grenfell were uncharacteristically clumsy but I think we have to put it into the context of Jacob.

“Jacob is a leader. He’s an authority figure and what he has failed to realise is that in a life-threatening and stressful situation most people will defer to the advice of an authority figure, be that someone from the fire authority or the police, and not come to their own conclusions.

“And as we know, in regards to Grenfell that advice was flawed.”

The BBC presenter said was Mr Rees-Mogg suggested he was “cleverer” than those who died as he would have not taken their advice.

Mr Bridgen replied: “But we want very clever people running the country, and that is a bi-product of what Jacob is. And that is why he is in a position of authority.

“What he is actually saying is I would have made a better decision than the authority figures who gave that advice.”

Labour’s David Lammy said the comments were “unforgivable” and showed “gross superiority”.

Andrew Gwynne, Labour’s national campaign co-ordinator, said Mr Bridgen’s comments were “contemptible” and that he should be removed as a parliamentary candidate.

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