I'm just watching it now. He was pretty forthright IMO....he simply said "I never comment on rumours. Never have done, never will"
Nothing to read into that IMO
When then asked if rumours about Rickie Lambert potentially leaving were true he replied: "There are always rumours. This season we have rumours that exist from the President to the Kitman!". At which point the reporter asked: "Is the kitman leaving then?" to which MP replied in English: "It's possible..be careful!"