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Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was “heckled” by his own iPhone as virtual assistant Siri made its maiden speech in the House of Commons.
The cabinet minister was giving an update to MPs on the fight against Islamic State (IS) when he was forced to apologise for an “intervention” from his mobile phone.
As he stood at the despatch box on Tuesday, Mr Williamson was interrupted by his iPhone stating: “I found something on the web for ‘in Syria, Syrian democratic forces supported by’….”
Speaker John Bercow expressed surprise at “what a very rum business that is” as MPs laughed.
Gavin Williamson was forced to apologise for the ‘intervention’
A sheepish-looking Mr Williamson drew his mobile phone from his jacket pocket, before apologising for the incident.
He said: “That was an intervention, I do apologise for that, it is very rare that you’re heckled by your own mobile phone.
“On this occasion it is a new parliamentary convention without a doubt. So if I may proceed, Mr Speaker, without the help and support of Siri…”
Mr Williamson went on to tell MPs how “the battle against the poison of Daesh is not quite over”.
He warned the House of Commons that IS cells exist across Iraq “where they will attempt to grow once more – sowing the seeds of instability and undermining the faith in the government to deliver security”.
The defence secretary added: “More widely, Daesh remain the most significant terrorist threat to the United Kingdom due to their ability to inspire, direct and enable attacks on our interests.
“That is why we continue working through the global coalition to eliminate the danger that Daesh poses and that is why the British people can rest assured that this government will continue to do everything in our power to protect them.
Jared O’Mara has been beaten to a maiden speech by Siri
It was later jokingly pointed out how Siri has now beaten Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O’Mara in making its maiden speech in the House of Commons.
Mr O’Mara has still yet to speak in the chamber despite being elected to parliament in June last year.
It was revealed on Tuesday that Mr O’Mara is set to be readmitted to the Labour Party.
He was suspended last year amid an investigation into historical online comments he made prior to his election.
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