The Commons is surrounded by a vinegary atmosphere as the Owen Paterson fallout continues.

MPs can be a bit sour. Chippy even. With all the children, Sir Lindsay Hoyle seems exhausted. It’s a good thing they are now at recess for the remainder of the week.

Yesterday’s debate on Azeem Rahiq, a former cricketer who was subject to racist abuses while playing for Yorkshire had an almost sour taste.

Some opposition MPs yelled and snubbed whenever Conservative MPs spoke. Some others fought over who was more upset about this whole thing. This was truly shocking. After Navendu Mishra asked urgent questions, Chris Philp, the digital minister, was dispatched to Nigel Huddleston’s place.

With sports minister Nigel Huddleston in Geneva on a footballing jolly, digital minister Chris Philp was despatched in his stead following an urgent question from Navendu Mishra (Lab, Stockport)

After Navendu Maishra asked urgent questions, Chris Philp (Lab, Stockport), was sent to replace Nigel Huddleston, sports minister in Geneva, on a soccering jolly.

Philp’s choice for this task might have been an emergency job. As I approached him in the Commons, he was busy frantically reviewing his statement. Philp looks younger than his 45 year old age, but he is still a competent operator.

His hair looks like it was styled in the wind tunnel and he has Head Boy manners. He is known for his cool aftershave balm.

He is an excellent cricket batsman. Although he doesn’t do fancy strokes much, he can still play the game with all the boring drivel junior ministers have to deliver.

MPs are ratty. Chippy even. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle looks fed up to the hind molars with all of them. Thank goodness they're now on recess for the rest of the week

MPs have a bad reputation. Chippy even. With all the children, Sir Lindsay Hoyle seems exhausted. It’s a good thing they are now at recess for most of the week.

He spoke about the need to have transparency and regulate. Philp worked for McKinsey management consultants, which is probably a good thing.

This is meaningless gobbledegook. Jo Stevens was shadow culture secretary and saw an opportunity for political points. She described Yorkshire’s poor handling of Rafiq and wondered if they had been listening to the Prime Minister.

Boris’s unwise comments made in a newspaper column years ago were mentioned by her, and she claimed that it helped enforce a culture in which racism was seen as banter.

Shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens spotted a chance to score political points. She outlined Yorkshire's woeful handling of the Rafiq saga and pondered whether they'd been taking soundings from the Prime Minister (file photo)

Jo Stevens was shadow culture secretary and saw an opportunity for political points. She highlighted Yorkshire’s woeful Rafiq handling and asked whether the Prime Minister had given them soundings (file photograph).

Philp said that the House would be more served if MPs stood together to combat racism.

Julian Knight, the chairman of culture select committee admitted feeling foolish. At first, I was puzzled if Knight meant the large novelty poppies that adorned his buttonhole. The thing was almost as large as a cup of tea. He was in fact more color-blind than the rest because he thought cricket (his game) was.

It was proved otherwise by events at Yorkshire CC. Mr Knight invited Mr Rafiq along with other members of Yorkshire’s hierarchy to attend his meeting next Tuesday. It could be very interesting. Virendra Sharma, Lab, Ealing Northall spoke out about how sport can bring people together from all walks of life. Philp was welcome to join him at any of the clubs within his constituency.

In order to attend such events, MPs will need to wear pads and take a couple of overs from their pace merchant. This may be why Philp recommended Sharma invite Huddleston. This will teach him to leave Philp behind.

Jamie Stone (Lib Dem Caithness), whose deep tea voice and tweedy appearance evoke long shadows above county ground, reminds racists of an old Scottish saying: ‘We are all Jock Tamson’s bairns. [We’re all the same.]

Julian Knight, chairman of the culture select committee, admitted to feeling a fool. I wondered at first if he was referring to the over-sized novelty poppy adorning his buttonhole

Julian Knight, the chairman of culture select committee admitted feeling foolish. My first thought was that Knight was talking about the huge novelty poppy that his buttonhole featured.

Philp urged the government to get advice from counterparts south of the border, who have for many years had to contend with sectarianism within Scottish sports. Philp agreed.

Huddleston could have been urged to attend an Old Firm Derby, where he would enjoy some boisterous music.

Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary of India, issued a statement urging NHS staff to get Covid vaccinations.

His predecessor Matt Hancock, two rows to his right, perched behind him. He urged NHS workers to have their shots’sooner than later’. He’s often present in the chamber, offering his two ha’porths. For months, many deposed ministers wiggle in their graves.

Gavin Williamson sure seems to think so. Though this may be no bad thing…

Later, Health Secretary Sajid Javid came to issue a statement on making Covid vaccines compulsory for NHS workers (file photo)

Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary of India was later to make a statement regarding compulsory vaccinations for NHS staff (file photo).