SNP and Conservative MPs walk out of the Commons over the Speaker’s handling of Gaza vote
Sir Lindsay Hoyle is facing mounting pressure to resign with a motion of no confidence in the speaker signed by 33 MPs on Wednesday evening.
The speaker apologised after the House of Commons descended into chaos with Government and SNP MPs walking out of the chamber in protest at his handling of the Gaza ceasefire debate.
It centred on his decision to allow break convention and select Labour’s bid to amend the SNP motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and Israel, which was later passed without vote.
Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt claimed Sir Lindsay had “hijacked” the debate and “undermined the confidence” of the House.
As a result, she withdrew the government’s amendment which sparked a walk-out of Tory and SNP MPs from the chamber.
Despite an apology by Sir Lindsay to the chamber, on Wednesday night 33 MPs had signed a so-called Early Day Motion of no confidence in the speaker.
Key points
Show latest update
More than 30 MPs sign motion of no confidence in Commons Speaker
Following this evening’s dramatic scenes in the House of Commons, 33 MPs have signed a motion of no confidence in Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
Sir Graham Brady, the senior Tory MP in charge of the backbench 1922 Committee, is among the signatories, as well as William Wragg, and SNP MPs such as David Linden and Chris Law.
Holly Evans21 February 2024 21:15
Watch: Speaker Lindsay Hoyle apologises after controversial decision on Gaza ceasefire motion
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle apologises after controversial decision on Gaza ceasefire motion
Holly Evans22 February 2024 02:00
Mordaunt launches Commons attack on Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle over Gaza debate
The Commons Leader said Sir Lindsay had “raised temperatures” and put MPs in a “more difficult position” by selecting Labour’s bid to amend the SNP motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and Israel.
It had been expected Sir Lindsay would select just the Government’s amendment seeking an “immediate humanitarian pause” to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which could pave the way for a more permanent stop in fighting.
Read the full article here:
Holly Evans22 February 2024 01:00
Labour amendment pushing for immediate Gaza ceasefire passes amid Commons chaos
Labour’s amendment calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza has been approved in the House of Commons amid chaotic scenes.
SNP MPs and some Conservatives walked out of the chamber in protest at Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s handling of the Gaza ceasefire debate.
Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt claimed Sir Lindsay had “hijacked” the debate and “undermined the confidence” of the House in its long-standing rules by selecting Labour’s bid to amend the SNP motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war.
Read the full article here
Holly Evans22 February 2024 00:00
Hundreds calling for Gaza ceasefire protest outside Parliament as MPs debate SNP motion
Gaza ceasefire protesters rally outside Parliament as MPs debate SNP motion
Hundreds of protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza gathered outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, 21 February, as MPs debated a Scottish National Party (SNP) motion calling for an end to the bloody conflict. It came as there was uproar in the Commons as Sir Lindsay Hoyle sparked anger among Tories and the SNP after breaking with convention to allow a vote on Labour’s call for a ceasefire. MPs called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” amid chaotic scenes which saw Conservative and SNP MPs walk out of the chamber in protest over the Speaker’s handling of the debate. Sir Lindsay apologised to MPs after facing calls to quit.
Holly Evans21 February 2024 23:00
The speaker tried to do the right thing on Gaza – but it blew up in his face
Read the full article here from John Rentoul
Holly Evans21 February 2024 22:00
Charity CEO says they are ‘dismayed by the political theatrics’ of Gaza debate
Helen McEachern, CEO of CARE International UK, said: “I am dismayed by the political theatrics we are witnessing in the House of Commons. Arguments over parliamentary procedure do nothing to assist the people of Gaza. With nowhere to go, they live without dignity or safety, dying from bombs and disease in their thousands.
“Without an immediate sustained ceasefire, they will not receive the food, water and medical supplies needed to save lives and prevent further injuries.
“As our staff and partners in Gaza have told me during a visit to the West Bank this week, with each passing day, death, disease, and hunger increase. The numbers of orphans and widows grow. Can we wait while more women undergoing C-sections and children have limbs amputated without anaesthetic?
“The Foreign Secretary must do everything in his power to help stop the humanitarian catastrophe we are watching. The fighting must stop. The flow of aid must increase. All hostages must be released and all parties to the conflict must abide by international humanitarian law.”
Holly Evans21 February 2024 21:56
Home secretary apologises to family over defaced baby birth certificate
The Home Secretary has apologised to a family over a baby’s birth certificate being returned defaced, and said the department’s commercial partner has suspended some staff members.
On Monday, James Cleverly ordered an investigation after the birth certificate was returned to the family “with the word Israel scribbled out”, according to the Campaign Against Antisemitism.
On Wednesday evening he posted on X, formerly Twitter: “We apologise to the family for the offence caused and I have ordered an urgent review of a birth certificate being defaced.
“While we establish the facts, our commercial partner has suspended some staff.
“The matter is totally unacceptable. We will not tolerate antisemitism.”
Holly Evans21 February 2024 21:48
David Cameron says ceasefire without change from Hamas ‘will not last’
A ceasefire in Gaza which leaves Hamas in power is “not going to last”, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has said.
He said: “What we have said, the Prime Minister and I, is there are several things you need. You need the hostages to be released, you need Hamas leaders to leave Gaza, you need to take down the infrastructure of terrorism, you need the prospect of political reform for the Palestinians, you need new Palestinian government.
“That’s how you get the fighting to stop. Simply calling for a ceasefire doesn’t make it happen.
“Of course, if you had a ceasefire without those conditions, if Hamas are still there, if they are still firing rockets, if they have still got the ability to do another October 7, that is not going to last.
“Our way of doing it, pause, leading to sustainable ceasefire, without a return to fighting, that’s the best way.
“Just saying ‘let’s have a ceasefire now’ without any change in the behaviour of Hamas, it’s not going to last.”
Holly Evans21 February 2024 21:29
Labour MP says Speaker was ‘doing the right thing’
Asked about the chaotic scenes in the Commons, Labour frontbencher John Healey said Sir Lindsay Hoyle was “doing the right thing”.
He said: “We’ve shown Westminster at its worst, a row about procedure with the Conservatives boycotting the votes, the SNP walking out.
“This does nothing to help the Palestinians and nothing to advance the cause of peace.”
Asked if Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle still has Labour’s confidence, Mr Healey said: “The Speaker was trying to ensure the widest possible debate on something that matters to Parliament, it matters to our communities, it matters around the world.
“He was doing the right thing.”
Addressing accusations that Labour had been playing political games with the issue, he said: “I have got no time for the SNP making those sorts of arguments when their sole purpose was to kick Labour.
“When they lost the arguments in the chamber, they walked out.”
Holly Evans21 February 2024 20:56