Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle tore into the Prime Minister this morning, after rumours about the PM’s defence statement made their way to the media before MPs were told.
Addressing a potential breach of Commons rules, the Speaker slammed the PM who was forced to make a humiliating apology to MPs.
Taking to his feet ahead of the PM’s defence statement, Sir Lindsay pointed out: “The government’s own ministerial code says that the text of statements ‘should be provided in advance to the opposition and to the speaker. It does not provide for the text to be redacted.
“I am particularly concerned at the reports that some of the redacted information was provided to the media in advance.
“If correct that is very discourteous to this house – I take it very seriously.
“Or it could be that it’s been leaked, in which case I hope there will be an inquiry into what has happened and will therefore ask the Prime Minister to look into what has happened in this case and report back to the house as soon as possible.”
Responding to the charge, Sir Keir gave his word that no briefing was “given to the media”, and he will “absolutely have an inquiry into this”.
The Prime Minister added: “I would not be that discourteous. I spoke to you this morning Mr Speaker, I wouldn’t be discourteous to you or to the opposition in that way.
“I give you that assurance from this dispatch box.”
Sir Keir also apologised to the leader of the opposition.
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