Pompey rivals Saints mocked in House of Commons by Penny Mordaunt and Tyneside MP

After addressing more serious business at this week’s Commons leader’s questions Ian Mearns, asked: ‘Given the Leader of the House’s Portsmouth constituency, will she congratulate Newcastle United on defeating Southampton on Tuesday night and therefore being on the way to Wembley to play Manchester United at the end of February in the League Cup final?’

Ms Mordaunt replied: ‘He knows the staff in my office well and he will not be surprised to learn that the football match he referred to was very much in our minds earlier this week and there was much cheering emanating from our office.’

Pompey’s bitter rivals are at the bottom of the Premier League, with the cup run providing a glimmer of hope for their season.

Ms Mordaunt later tweeted: ‘Good bit of football banter this week at ⁦ @CommonsLeader ⁩questions. Sorry Southampton. #PUP #Pompey’