Helen Flanagan takes a ‘swipe’ at her ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair  in TikTok video about ‘seeing girls while dropping her children off’

By Kirsten Murray For Mailonline

Published: 14:01 EDT, 9 September 2023 | Updated: 14:01 EDT, 9 September 2023

The Block viewers slam Scott Cam for fuelling a ‘gossip session’ with two contestants: ‘He sounded petty and pathetic’

By Ciara O’loughlin For Daily Mail Australia

Updated: 21:32 EDT, 4 September 2023

Treasurer Scott Morrison has run out of an interview after being told there was a division in the parliament.

Mr Morrison was speaking to Paul Murray on Sky News on Thursday when he cut the interview short because people were ‘banging on the door’.

‘I’m sorry Paul we’re going to have to stop because people are banging on the door,’ the Treasurer said. 

‘What?’, Mr Morrison then asked someone off to the left of camera.

‘There’s a division mate I’ve got to go,’ he added before pulling out his ear piece and bolting out the door. 

On Thursday Labor took advantage of the government’s small numbers in parliament to pass three votes after a number of MPs left Canberra early to head home.

The opposition tried to bring on debate in a bid to call on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to establish a royal commission into banks. 

Labor then won three divisions in its attempt to expedite debate, taking advantage of the coalition’s slender majority. 

It’s the first time in 50 years that a majority government has lost a vote in the House of Representatives. 

Speaker Tony Smith was also forced to use his casting vote – believed to be for the first time – on a procedural motion to allow the debate to be considered.

However Mr Morrison later denounced the move and accused Labor leader Bill Shorten of taking political advantage.

‘He is using a stunt to promote his stunt,’ he told parliament. 

The opposition, in celebration mode over the victory, said it took just two sitting days for the government’s majority to collapse. 

‘Tonight’s been a wake-up call for the Turnbull government – the clock is ticking,’ manager of opposition business Tony Burke said.

On Friday morning Manager of Government Business Christopher Pyne said the loss of three votes was a ‘stuff-up’ and a ‘valuable lesson’ for the government.

‘There is no doubt what happened late yesterday afternoon was a stuff-up and those people who weren’t there obviously they learnt a valuable lesson, in fact everyone learnt a valuable lesson,’ Mr Pyne told the Nine Network on Friday.

Mr Pyne said of course he didn’t give MPs permission to leave early, but there wasn’t any point in pointing fingers.

‘It’s a salutary lesson for anyone who went home before the house rose yesterday afternoon,’ he said.

The cabinet minister refused to be drawn on what Mr Turnbull will say to his colleague Michael Keenan who was on a flight at the time of the votes.

‘People out there in the community are more worried about jobs, more worried about feeding themselves and their children than they are about three adjournment votes in the House of Representatives,’ he said.

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese described the events as a farce.

‘If you can’t run the parliament, you can’t run the country,’ he said.

‘We were in control during three years of minority government, each and every day of the parliament. 

‘This mob with a majority government couldn’t get through three days,’ Mr Albanese added. 

Alex Scott and Emma Bunton led the way in the style stakes on Thursday as they attended the star-studded Attitude Pride Awards at London’s Langham Hotel.

Presenter Alex, 38, stunned in a strapless pink gown as she graced the red carpet of the awards, which celebrates celebrates some of the biggest LGBTQ + names from from film, TV, music and theatre as well as honouring unsung everyday LGBTQ+ heroes.

The former footballer’s dress perfectly hugged her curves and featured a sweeping train that trailed behind her.

Alex kept her accessories to a minimum for the occasion, adding simple diamond jewellery, while her brunette locks were styled in glamorous waves.

Meanwhile, Emma Bunton was chic in a plunging polkadot black jumpsuit.

The Spice Girl, 47, teamed her ruffle-sleeved outfit with a silver clutch and towering heels, with her look finished with sliver delicate jewellery. 

Emma allowed her blonde tresses to cascade over her shoulders and flashed a dazzling smile as she posed for photos. 

The ladies were in good company on the night as Monroe Bergdorf turned heads in her racy ensemble.

The model sizzled in a gold chest plate worn over a black dress with a daring front split.

Monroe teamed her dress with gold heels and appeared in great spirits as she posed up a storm.

Meanwhile, singer Loreen flaunted her washboard abs in a racy black bralette and matching maxi skirt.

The Swedish singer showcased her famously long nails as she posed this way and that for the camera.

Claire Richards meanwhile caught the eye in a satin floral jumpsuit teamed with a plunging leopard print top. 

The Steps star added an oversized silver clutch bag to her look, while finishing things off with coordinating pointed silver heels.

She was in great spirits as she also posed alongside fellow Steps singer H, who certainly made sure all eyes were on him in a purple suit complete with a huge tulle flower on the front. 

The Tragedy hitmakers appeared to be enjoying the night as they also posed alongside Loreen on the night. 

Also in attendance was former Coronation Street actor Charlie Condou who donned a blush pink suit. 

While TV’s Dr Ranj Singh stood out in a bold blue number and Nick Grimshaw dressed up in an all-black outfit.

Great British Bake-off star Sandro Farmhouse cut a stylish figure at the event, while human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell opted for a smart striped shirt. 

The Attitude Awards showcase the very best of the global LGBTQ community and give a platform to role models while supporting the Attitude Magazine Foundation, which raises money for LGBT causes. 

For most of this week, Scott Morrison did not look like a man about to be censured as a disgrace to parliament for secretly swearing himself in to five extra ministries.

The former prime minister sat in his seat in the ‘naughty corner’ of the House of Representatives looking utterly unbothered as his fate was debated.

Mr Morrison even smiled and waved at photographers on Tuesday during Question Time, when both parties argued over censuring him.

He appeared in particularly high spirits that day, animatedly chatting and laughing heartily with his seatmate Alex Hawke and showing him things on his phone.

But this was likely all an act as just 15 minutes earlier Mr Hawke was forced to deny a rift with Mr Morrison after revelations he’d told author Niki Savva the former PM should have quit after losing the election but was ‘addicted to power’.

When the time finally came and Labor pushed the censure motion on Wednesday morning, Mr Morrison didn’t decide to take the political moment any more seriously.

Instead he scrolled through his phone and tablet as Leader of the House Tony Burke brought on the censure motion with a stinging 15-minute speech.

Occasionally he would read something he thought was funny and have a little chuckle to himself or with Mr Hawke.

There was no reaction when Mr Burke said that, not only did he fail to meet the standards of Parliament, he ‘undermined them, rejected them, he attacked them, and he abused them’.

Nothing either when he was admonished for preventing parliament from doing its job, undermining public confidence in government, or ‘deceiving’ his colleagues, and neither as his explanations for his secret ministries were ripped apart as ‘logically impossible’.

Mr Morrison did look up a couple of times as Mr Burke argued he breached the principles of responsible government, and didn’t even tell the ministers whose portfolios he swore himself in to.

Starring straight ahead, he blinked rapidly like a deer in headlights, his smirk vanished, for about 15 seconds – then his attention returned to his phone.

A few other times he glanced at the packed press gallery, as if to gauge the reaction of the far more attentive media.

His party was also uncharacteristically quiet, listening – or fiddling with their phones – in silence until Mr Burke admonished those who supported the censure, but went along with opposing it anyway.

‘They’ve got to lock in; they’ve got to follow what their leader wants… that is exactly what happened for the whole of the last term. It is exactly how every precedent was trashed,’ he said.

Mr Morrison’s demeanour only changed when he rose to defend himself after Mr Burke finished his condemnation.

Now fully engaged and fired up he defiantly laid out his case in a 24-minute rebuttal justifying his actions and refusing to substantially apologise.

It was the first time Mr Morrison had spoken to parliament since his May 21 election loss. His raised voice was reminiscent of his daily performances when he was on the other side of the chamber.

His chief defence was that the Covid-19 pandemic and the trade war with China made for a dangerous and uncertain time that required unorthodox measures.

‘I am proud of my achievements in this place and I am proud of my government,’ he began.

‘I am proud that at a time of extreme trial my government stood up and faced the abyss of uncertainty that our country looked into and the coercion of a regional bully and saw Australia through the storm.’

Only he faced such adversity, only he made the tough calls, only he stared down Beijing – and came out the other side with a stronger country. And how dare anyone judge him.

‘For those who wish to add their judgement today on my actions in supporting this censure motion, I simply suggest that they stop and consider the following – have you ever had to deal with a crisis where the outlook was completely unknown?’ he said.

‘In such circumstances, were you able to get all the decisions perfectly right? And where you may have made errors, were you fortunate enough for them to have had no material impact on the result and the result itself proved to be world-leading?

‘Once you have considered your own experience, or what happens when you have had more in government, then you may wish to cast the first stone in this place.’

Mr Morrison multiple times accused the government of using the censure to exact ‘political retribution’ on him – which he had no intention of ‘submitting’ to.

‘I will take the instruction of my faith and turn the other cheek,’ he countered, noting his silence since the election as if it was a virtue.

Instead of ‘retribution’, he suggested the government ‘appreciate in humility’ and ‘gracefully’ learn from how he led the country.

Despite there being no link between his handling of the pandemic and him becoming ‘minister for everything’, he insisted it meant at least some of his actions were necessary.

‘I do not resile from these decisions and believe them entirely necessary,’ he said of appointing himself to oversee finance and health.

Mr Morrison only admitted that secretly himself swearing in to the home affairs and treasury portfolios was ‘unnecessary’ in hindsight.

At the same time, he sought to play down the appointments as ‘dormant redundancy only to be activated in extraordinary circumstances’.

Apparently one of these circumstances was overriding Resources Minister Keith Pitt to cancel the PEP11 offshore gas and oil exploration licence off the NSW Central Coast three months before the election.

‘I do not resile from that action,’ he said in his speech, arguing it was done lawfully and was the only time he exercised any of the powers he took for himself.

As close to an apology as Mr Morrison got was the classic ‘sorry to anyone who was upset’ – but nothing for actually doing it.

‘I acknowledge that the nondisclosure of arrangements has caused unintentional offence and extend an apology to those who were offended,’ he said.

‘But I do not apologise for taking action, especially prudent redundancy action, in a national crisis in order to save lives and to save livelihoods.’ 

In what could be Mr Morrison’s final speech to parliament, he declared himself to be happy and proud of his achievements.

‘I have seen bitterness destroy people who have come to this place, and it continues to gnaw away at them each and every day of their lives for even decades after they leave this place,’ he said.

‘I am not one of those, nor will I ever be.’

Another way of saying he regrets nothing.

Dozens of Coalition members bolted from the chamber after his speech was completed, ignoring Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus’ follow up.

One by one they filed past Mr Morrison, shaking his hand, patting him on the shoulder, or giving him a hug, as they left. 

Then the ex-PM himself slinked away. Paul Fletcher, Michael McCormack, Angie Bell, Keith Wollahan, Jenny Ware, Aaron Violi, and Bridget Archer were all who remained.

Another two hours of speeches for and against censure followed, along expected lines – damning condemnation from Labor and most of the crossbench, and outrage and excuses from the Coalition.

Those who couldn’t hold their nose and give their former leader support simply argued the motion was unnecessary, partisan, and wasted time better spent on pressing matters like the cost of living.

As the speeches went on, MPs came and went from the chamber and held sidebar discussions – even with political opponents.

Nationals MP Michael McCormack chatted to Mr Dreyfus, whom he blasted as an out of touch inner-city snob weeks earlier, and his Labor colleague Madeleine King.

Liberal MP Keith Wolahan and Ms Archer talked with Greens leader Adam Bandt and teal MP Monique Ryan while Bob Katter gave a bizarre speech, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later held court with the teals.

Then an attendant brought Ms Archer, who had indicated she would vote in favour of censure, a glass of water and a stand for her notes. She was going to speak.

The increasingly maverick Liberal party member blasted Mr Morrison’s actions as ‘disrespectful’ and an affront to Australia’s system of government.

‘I’ve relentlessly advocated for more integrity in politics and fought for an integrity commission that would begin to restore the public’s faith in elected officials,’ she argued.

‘To sit quietly now would be hypocritical, and I firmly believe we should be intentional in the actions we take to ensure that we do not let this happen again.’

All this time, Mr Morrison did not seem particularly bothered by his imminent censuring.

After leaving the chamber he shared a laugh with former prime minister Tony Abbott at the unveiling of his portrait.

Finally by almost midday, everyone had had enough and it was time for the bells to be rung for a vote.

MPs filed in over the next four minutes and were joined by numerous senators who sat on the side to observe the historic moment.

Among them was Senator Jana Stewart who came carrying her baby – until Senator Penny Wong delighted in holding and playing with the infant as MPs took their seats.

Ms Archer got out of her seat and walked across the aisle to a chair at the back where along with most of the crossbench she sat to vote with Labor.

When she returned to her seat after the vote, none of her colleagues so much as looked up to acknowledge her presence. 

The final vote was 86 to 50, with 15 either not present or abstaining.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley was among the missing, but was given a pair so the vote would not be lopsided.

Others like former home affairs minister Karen Andrews and independent Dai Le deliberately abstained, but later told media they still thought the censure was a waste of time.

Mr Morrison, as he had throughout the week, showed no emotion as the count was read out, knowing it was a foregone conclusion from when it was first proposed. 

Then, in contrast to how momentously it began, the House moved on with absolutely no fanfare to its next item – like Mr Morrison was just another item on the agenda. 

So profoundly damaged is his political career by the saga, and his response to it, that he will never hold a meaningful position, and may never be heard in parliament again.

As he thanked former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, former health minister Greg Hunt – both of whose portfolios he appointed himself to – and Mr McCormack, along with his family, staff, and supporters, he seemed like a man at the end.

‘I conclude by thanking the Australian people for the privilege of being able to serve my country in so many roles, but especially as prime minister,’ he said.

‘I gave it everything I had. I did it to the best of my ability and in the best of faith each and every day I had the privilege to serve the Australian people.’

Many, including Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, think Mr Morrison will finally do what he should have done on May 22 and resign.

‘Scott Morrison says sorry not sorry. My prediction – he pulls the pin over Christmas. This is his last week,’ she wrote on Twitter.

But don’t put it past the man once pilloried as ‘Squat Morrison’ to cling on for as long as possible.

Republican senators indicated to DailyMail.com on Wednesday that they are frustrated with the pace of negotiations aimed at keeping the government open, as the December 16 deadline to pass a spending bill and avert a shutdown looms just over a week away.

Last week it appeared that Democrats and Republicans would work together for a year-long ‘omnibus’ spending bill to keep agencies open and federal workers paid.

But conservatives have called on GOP leaders to shift gears and pass a short-term resolution that would punt discussions over a longer funding bill into early next year – when Republicans control the House of Representatives.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was confident about a bipartisan 12-month bill last week, but backpedaled to say discussions were at an ‘impasse’ after his caucus’s weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday.

If they fail to come to an agreement, the federal government will run out of funding next Friday.

‘It’s up to the Democrats. The Democrats can make that decision, they’re the ones that [have control of Congress]’ right now,’ Florida Sen. Rick Scott told DailyMail.com at the US Capitol on Wednesday.

‘I don’t want a government shutdown, I don’t think any of us do, but we shouldn’t be passing a Pelosi-Schumer spending bill.’

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, meanwhile, accused Democrats of playing ‘politics’ with federal funding legislation. 

Republicans have argued that passing an omnibus bill before the year is up will solidify left-wing spending priorities in a year where voters chose to take control of half of Congress away from Democrats. 

‘There’s an understandable desire on the part of the incoming members – and especially on the part of those who elected them – that you’re not going to have spending decisions made by the outgoing Congress that was just voted out of office and out of control of the majority,’ Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee said during a Wednesday press conference.

Some GOP senators did not outright oppose a 12-month funding bill, but expressed frustration at the lack of any draft proposal.

‘I don’t think we’ll have a shutdown. It just depends on what kind of [continuing resolution] we’re gonna have – a short term or long term, and we’ve got…to get the top line of the bill. We hadn’t we hadn’t seen that yet,’ Tuberville told DailyMail.com.

He complained that Congress’ year-end spending priorities ‘should have been done’ before the second-to-last week of their session.

‘It’s used for politics. That’s what the American people hate,’ Tuberville said.

‘I’m not used to this, kind of running on the seat of our pants, and that’s what we’ve been doing.’ 

Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana avoided stating whether he’d prefer a short-term bill or a year-long resolution, pointing out to DailyMail.com that no proposals have been put forth so far.

‘I mean, it’s- there’s so many variables. It’s hard to answer the question without knowing the variables,’ the Louisiana Republican said. 

Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said he was ‘optimistic’ that some kind of a deal can be reached to avoid a shutdown but noted the clock was ticking.

‘We’re getting closer to the point that we might not be able to get this done,’ Blunt told DailyMail.com. 

‘I’m still optimistic, but every day matters.’

Last week Congressional leaders met with President Joe Biden at the White House, where they began talking about the possibility of passing a bipartisan omnibus spending bill to last all of next year.

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell said at the time that there was ‘widespread agreement’ on the need for a 12-month funding bill – but backpedaled on Tuesday amid growing pressure from the right wing of his caucus.

‘We’re at a pretty significant impasse,’ he began. ‘With regard to government spending, time is ticking. we’ve not been able to agree on a topline yet.’

He said it was ‘becoming increasingly clear’ that a short-term funding bill ‘until early next year’ was more viable than a year-long package.

‘We are running out of time and that may be the only option left that we can agree to pursue,’ McConnell said.

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested on Fox News Monday night that McConnell needed to delay spending negotiations until Republicans control the House next year.

Scott Morrison has walked out of Question Time early as speculation mounts that he will soon quit politics for the private sector.

The former prime minister was censured by the House of Representatives on November 30 over the ‘minister for everything’ scandal. 

Parliament condemned him on a vote of 86 to 50 for secretly swearing himself in to five extra ministries in 2020 and 2021.

Other than a defiant speech defending himself against the censure, Mr Morrison has not spoken in parliament since losing the May 22 election.

The Member for Cook left the chamber on Tuesday a little before 3pm, well before Question Time concluded at 3.21pm.

Mr Morrison is believed to have left to prepare for an interview with the Australian Associated Press, which did not begin until after Question Time was completed.

He receives $217,060 a year, the basic backbencher salary, while in parliament. 

Sky News reported that ‘informed sources’ believed he would quit politics by the end of the year for a lucrative overseas consulting job.

Mr Morrison in response said if he had anything to say about his political future, he would make it.

For now, he insisted he was ‘dutifully doing his job as a local MP and had returned home to The [Sutherland] Shire seeking to live quietly with his family’, Sky reported.

The Liberal Party stalwart in another interview on the weekend said he was enjoying his time as a backbencher.

‘It’s quite liberating,’ he said when asked what it was like to be a backbencher, pointing out that holding ministries and then being PM for a decade was ‘exhausting’.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said she had been friends with Mr Morrison for ‘many years’ but hadn’t heard anything about his retirement plans.

‘He will make a decision in the best interests of himself and family and the people of Cook,’ she said.

Speculation over Mr Morrison’s job started almost immediately after his crushing defeat by Anthony Albanese, and intensified when the ministries scandal broke.

He had himself secretly sworn in as treasurer and minister for home affairs; finance; health; and industry, science, energy and resources.

None of the ministers for these portfolios, other than Greg Hunt for health, were aware he had secretly doubled up on their jobs.

Labor claimed his actions undermined, rejected, attacked, and abused the standards expected of parliamentarians, and struck at the heart of Australia’s democracy.

Other than acknowledging some (but not all) of the appointments were unnecessary, Mr Morrison gave a spirited defence of his actions during the censure motion, and offered no apology.

‘For those who wish to add their judgement today on my actions in supporting this censure motion, I simply suggest that they stop and consider the following – have you ever had to deal with a crisis where the outlook was completely unknown?’ he said.

‘In such circumstances, were you able to get all the decisions perfectly right? And where you may have made errors, were you fortunate enough for them to have had no material impact on the result and the result itself proved to be world-leading?

‘Once you have considered your own experience, or what happens when you have had more in government, then you may wish to cast the first stone in this place.’

Mr Morrison’s speech had such an air of finality that Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek predicted he wouldn’t even see out 2022.

‘Scott Morrison says sorry not sorry. My prediction – he pulls the pin over Christmas. This is his last week,’ she wrote on Twitter. 

However, the man once mocked as ‘Squat Morrison’ for taking 13 days to move out of Kirribilli House after losing the election has so far stuck around.