UK Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn laid their political rivalry to one side on Wednesday to pay a tribute to footballer Gordon Banks.
ADVERTISEMENTIn a rare move for British politics, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn laid aside their differences on Wednesday to pay a shared tribute to the late footballer Gordon Banks.
Banks, the English World Cup-winning goalkeeper, died on Tuesday, aged 81.
"He was one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time," Corbyn said in a tribute in parliament on Wednesday.
"Seventy-three caps for England, including playing in every single game during the victorious 1966 World Cup campaign, which I remember with joy."
Finding some rare common ground with her political rival, May also sent condolences to Banks' next of kin.
"Like the right honourable gentleman [Corbyn], I am old enough to remember the 1966 World Cup," she said.
Amid laughter from her fellow MPs, May went on to joke: "Now let's be honest in this House, I think that's important."
Turning back to her tribute, she added: "He was regarded as one of the world's greatest goalkeepers, but I also know that he did a lot of community work in his local area as well."
"And I know members from all sides of the House would like to join me in paying tribute to him," she said, with Corbyn nodding in agreement.