Daniel Andrews refuses to apologise for calling Liberal MP Cindy McLeish a ‘halfwit grub’

Victorian premier says his comment in parliament was in defence of Labor MP Kat Theophanous

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The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, is refusing to apologise to Liberal MP Cindy McLeish for calling her a halfwit grub" in state parliament, arguing he was defending a female colleague at the time.

Andrews made the comment during debate on an opposition bill to adopt the four recommendations of the anti-corruption watchdog's Operation Clara report, which was handed down earlier this year.

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