Senior minister Johnny Mercer has lashed out at former Countdown star and online political activist Carol Vorderman, accusing her of leading a “s*** lonely life”.
The outburst came after Mr Mercer’s Labour opponent in his Plymouth constituency, Fred Thomas, accused him of breaking a key pledge about ending veteran homelessness this year.
Ms Vorderman, who was sacked by the BBC in November for her anti-Tory rants, amplified the allegation, claiming homelessness among veterans increased by 14 percent in 2023 and congratulating Mr Thomas for “holding him to account”.
It wasn’t long before the Veterans Minister slammed Ms Vorderman, and accused his opponents of “deliberately misleading people for clicks”.
He added she was doing so to make their “s*** lonely life feel better”.
He said: “No-one normal really cares about your view. They think you’re mad. I’m changing veterans lives. What I came into politics to do.”
The self-assured minister encouraged Ms Vorderman to “keep going”.
Following the row, Mr Mercer described politics as a “frustrating sport”.
He said: “Even if you dedicate every working hour to turning around the lives of those who need your help, you will still get those people who are seeking to make a name for themselves or indeed have become irrelevant, (Carol Vorderman).”
Mr Mercer argues he has met his promise of ending veterans sleeping rough because of lack of accommodation provision, but acknowledges that there are “huge challenges in housing across the United Kingdom”.
He defended ongoing veteran homelessness, arguing: “There is a big difference between not having your own home, and sleeping out in the cold every night.”
In the face of Labour criticism, the Ministry of Defence said they remain committed to ending veteran rough sleeping and have provided up to £8million to see the pledge through.
Veterans at risk of homelessness can access the fund for supported housing places and wrap-around specialist care in health, housing and employment.
A spokesman added: “The defence secretary has also made it a personal priority to improve the standard of military accommodation for service personnel and their families, with an additional £400 million being invested by the Government over the next two years to improve military housing that is available”.
“This includes activity such as damp and mould improvements to more than 4,500 properties.”
Labour’s shadow veterans minister Steve McCabe criticised the Government, however, saying the Tories are letting them down.
He said: “After 13 years of Conservative failure, ministers have created a postcode lottery for veterans, and halved employment support, and more veterans are homelessness this year than last year.”
