WATFORD MP Claire Ward was left "bemused" this week after she appeared in the national press accused of monopolising Gary Lineker.

The story appeared in The Mirror's The Scurra column on Friday, February 15, and on Monday, February 18, drawing on alleged comments from a fellow Labour MP.

Mr Lineker visited the House of Commons last week with other people from BBC Sport, including pundit Alan Hansen, to meet the all-party football group.

Miss Ward said: "It is a pretty pathetic story a lot of hot air about nothing. I was sitting next to him and then we took him into a bar at the end of the night.

"I was quite bemused. I have since had the MP who was supposedly behind making the comment write to me, saying he never made such a comment and is really embarrassed."

She added: "The Mirror really should have better things to do."