Lockdown party: Grief and pain puncture a shindig in the House

Jim Shannon (DUP, Strangford) opened with his normal rapid-fire delivery but then mentioned his mother-in-law’s lonely death from Covid. Suddenly it punctured him. Shannon had risen during a pitchy Commons discussion of Downing Street’s lockdown drinks parties. If there was political niggle to some of the contributions, that was to be expected. This was the Commons. Feasts of indignation served daily.

But Shannon is about the most un-niggly person at Westminster. The 66-year-old is an avuncular, almost naive presence, widely seen as a bit of a softie. The moment he mentioned his mother-in-law’s death he halted, pumping one of his hands to give himself strength. “Keep going, Jim,” said a neighbour. Shannon’s voice wouldn’t quite work. It went all fluting and treble as he