Penny Mordaunt has attacked Sir Lindsay Hoyle for “inserting himself” into a “political row within the Labour Party” over Gaza.
The Leader of the House announced the Government would effectively boycott tonight’s vote because of the speaker’s decision to select a Labour amendment on the Gaza vote.
She accused Sir Lindsay of having “undermined the confidence” of the House in being able to rely on the rules to govern its debates.
Ms Mordaunt told the Commons: “I fear that this most grave matter that we’re discussing today and this afternoon has become a political row within the Labour Party and that regrettably Mr Speaker has inserted himself into that row with today’s decision and undermined the confidence of this House in being able to rely on its long-established standing orders to govern its debates.”
It is highly unusual to allow an opposition party – in this case Labour – to amend a motion from another opposition party.
Usually, only a government amendment would be selected in such a vote.
Ms Mordaunt said: “Long-established conventions that should not be impaired by the current view of a weak leader of the Opposition and a divided party.
“I would ask that the Speaker take the opportunity to reassure all honourable and right honourable members that their Speaker, our Speaker, will not seek to undermine those rights in order to protect the interests of particular members and that future Opposition Day debates will not be hijacked in this way.
“I say this for the benefit of all members.”
In response to Sir Lindsay’s decision, Scottish National Party leader Stephen Flynn shouts “where on earth is the speaker of the commons and how can we bring him to this House?”
Tory MPs have accused Sir Lindsay of making an “overtly political decision”, given that Sir Keir Starmer was expected to face a significant rebellion had his amendment not been selected.
