Former Conservative Cabinet member Nicky Morgan was slammed by Question Time viewers for trying to defend Parliament’s decision to veto a Labour motion to extend the free school meals scheme

Former Conservative Cabinet member Nicky Morgan

An ex-Tory Cabinet member has been slammed by Question Time viewers for defending Parliament’s decision to throw out a motion to extend free school meals for children in need.

Former Conservative MP Nicky Morgan got into a heated row with Labour’s Bridget Phillipson on Thursday’s episode of the BBC panel show a day after all but five Tory MPs voted down the motion.

It would have seen the scheme extended over school holidays until Easter 2021.

Ms Morgan had tried to deflect the issue by referring to Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner appearing to call Conservative Christopher Clarkson “scum” during Wednesday’s House of Commons session.

She went on to argue the current Government had invested millions this year alone in ensuring children are fed but opposed Labour’s way of going about bringing in the legislation through an ‘opposition day’ motion.