Here is former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, chairwoman of The Jo Cox Foundation, appearing on Politics Live today ahead of the launch of her own foundation’s Civility Commission. Surely the day to lead by example…

Not so much. Instead, Smith told her fellow panellist Isabel Oakeshott to “shut up” in a row over Brexit, with Jo Coburn herself forced to return some civility to the debate, adding: “Let’s not descend into insults.” Eventually, Smith apologised:

I apologised to Isabel because I was wrong to say shut up.

— Jacqui Smith (@Jacqui_Smith1) February 28, 2023

“I was wrong to say shut up…” Jacqui finally apologised.

As major cities like Birmingham ramp-up to avoid a second wave of Covid, it’s all hands on deck for those at the top of the health profession; all except one, however: the chair of Birmingham’s University Hospitals, Jacqui Smith, who has taken unpaid leave from October 1st to appear on the show, bouncing her deputy in to take over her duties while she tangos away. Smith made headlines in 2016 after it was revealed she’s taking home £50,000 a year for just two days work a week…

While Harriet Baldwin MP Tweeted “So glamorous- good luck and enjoy!” Birmingham Tory MP Gary Sambrook made clear to Guido he’s less than impressed:

“It’s astonishing timing really. I’m sure if Jacqui was a former Tory Home Secretary many Labour MPs and Councillors would be calling for her resignation. I wish her all the luck anyone would need to learn the salsa but just ask that she remains very mindful of the important work that needs doing outside of the TV studio back home.” 

To give the BBC some credit, their styling department has done an impressive job…