It was all just a huge misunderstanding. The old gentleman wasn't saying that Jack Straw's statement was rubbish. He had merely dozed off and was a bit disoriented upon awakening. Thinking he was at his home, he called his cat, whose name happens to be "Rubbish". It was unfortunate, but it could have been worse. He could have called one of his other two cats. Their names are "Fuckface" and "Shit-for-Brains".