Outrage after minister says there might be ‘little man in China’ listening to calls with wife

A MINISTER landed in hot water yesterday for claiming there might be “a little man in China” eavesdropping on calls with his wife.

Mark Spencer was accused of using “outrageous and reckless language” in remarks about Liz Truss’ phone being hacked by Russian spies.

He said government figures should always be mindful of national security risks even in their private conversations.

The Farming Minister told Sky News: “We all talk on personal phones don’t we.

“I ring my wife, maybe there’s some little man in China listening to the conversation between me and my wife, but you know, you’ve just got to be careful.”

Labour MP Sarah Owen, who is of Chinese ancestry, fumed that Mr Spencer was “once again showing his ignorance on many levels”.

She pointed to the ongoing investigation into claims of Islamophobia by Mr Spencer, which he denies.

Fellow shadow minister Afzal Khan piled in: “Outrageous and reckless language used here.”

However, appearing to dismiss the backlash, Mr Spencer later “liked” a tweet praising him for “triggering lefties”.