Senior Labour MP Chris Bryant today joked that George Osborne has “finally realised the dangers of coke” in an apparent nod to allegations about the Chancellor’s past.
Discussing Mr Osborne’s new sugar tax, which will add 24p to a litre of Coca Cola, Mr Bryant’s gag was met by roars of laughter from other MPs in the House of Commons.
Mr Bryant appeared to be referencing allegations made by former dominatrix Natalie Rowe who claims she used to snort cocaine with him on a regular basis in the 1990s when he was a Tory aide.
The Chancellor has always strongly denied the claims since they made headlines in 2005.
Mr Bryant told MPs: “I'm delighted that finally the Chancellor has realised the dangers of coke.
"It's just a shame he couldn't bring himself to use the word himself, and used the word cola instead.
"Maybe you can explain to us why."
Veteran Labour politician Dennis Skinner was barred from the Commons for a day in 2005 for repeating the allegations about the Chancellor.
