[2] Both MPs voted against the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 and in 2008, Abbott made an award-winning speech in parliament on civil liberties which Davis praised as "one of the finest I have heard since being elected to the House of Commons".
The referendum had divided the two parties on Brexit, particularly Labour MPs who had triggered a snap leadership election in late 2016.
[17] Davis said that he had whispered "thank you for the vote" referencing the three line whip on the Brexit legislation, and that he would not attempt to hug or kiss Abbott because he is "not blind".
[21] Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales Shami Chakrabarti, who had witnessed the incident, appeared on Peston on Sunday and said "I think David Davis has been very silly.
[23] Stella Creasy branded the behaviour “sexual harassment" and Emily Thornberry compared Davis to Donald Trump.
[24]Jess Phillips said Davis was “probably drunk on Brexit smugness" adding “he wouldn’t do it to David Cameron or George Osborne, so he shouldn’t do it to Diane.
[27] In the context of Brexit, the controversy was overshadowed by the resignations of Rachael Maskell and Dawn Butler from the Shadow Cabinet ahead of Article 50 vote.
[30] In August 2017, the former chief of staff at the Brexit Department claimed he had witnessed Davis being "drunk, bullying and inappropriate".