Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle lost it with the Government today, after ministers broke rules to make a major announcement about prison places yesterday. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood informed the media and the public that yet more prisoners are set to be freed early, in an effort to avoid Britain’s overcrowded prisons hitting capacity.
However she delivered the controversial speech from Downing Street, in spite of rules outlining that policy announcements should be delivered to MPs first. Taking to his feet in the Commons this afternoon, the Speaker noted it is just the latest time the Government has breached this rule. He blasted: “I’m surprised the Government did not think that members would want an opportunity to question ministers on a very important issue.”
“On Monday, the Home Secretary was unapologetic about the fact that details of the immigration white paper were given to the media from Sunday morning, before it was laid before this house and long before she came to make her statement.
“I note that those who now occupy senior ministerial roles were not slow to complain when the previous government made major policy announcements outside this place.
He pledged to continue fighting for the rights of backbenchers to scrutinise the government, and announced he is writing to the Commons’ constitution committee to ask them to consider the repeated breaches of the Ministerial Code.
He concluded: “I don’t like doing this, I believe I am here to represent all backbenchers. I’m not interested in Sky News, and the BBC, or political programmes – I’m here to defend all of you.”
Addressing the minister in the chamber, he raged: “Please do not take MPs for granted! It is not acceptable!”
“And when you’re in the wrong, try apologising to the members!”
A sheepish minister replied: “I hear very clearly your words, and I very much respect the role of parliament and am pleased to be here today to follow up the written ministerial statement that was laid yesterday by the Lord Chancellor.”
However Sir Lindsay cut the minister off, pointing out he wouldn’t be in the Chamber answering questions if he hadn’t granted an urgent question.
“That’s the thing we should remember! You wouldn’t be here at all, it’s only because I’ve decided you should be here, so please let’s not try and take advantage of a situation that’s your own making.”