The Speaker changing the “usual ways in which parliament works” was “very concerning”, according to the prime minister – who did not say whether he accepted Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s apology.
Sir Lindsay‘s role has been thrown into jeopardy after he allowed both Labour and government amendments to be voted on, on an SNP debate – with it being convention to only allow a government change if one is put up.
He has since apologised.
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Speaking to broadcasters this afternoon, Rishi Sunak said: “What happened in the House of Commons last night is very concerning.
“It seems that the usual processes and the way that the House of Commons works were changed. Now my understanding is that the Speaker has apologised for that and is going to reflect on what happened.”
Asked if he accepted the Speaker’s apology, the prime minister repeated his answer.
Mr Sunak continued: “But I think the important point here is that we should never let extremists intimidate us into changing the way in which parliament works.
“Parliament is an important place for us to have these debates. And just because some people may want to stifle that with intimidation or aggressive behaviour, we should not bend to that and change how parliament works.
“That’s a very slippery slope.”
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At roughly the same time, Housing Secretary Michael Gove appeared to back Sir Lindsay’s position.
He told The Sun: “I don’t think this issue is really about the Speaker.
“If you’re a government minister like me, you’ve got to respect the ref – even if you disagree with his decisions.
“I like Lindsay.”
So far, 65 MPs have signed what is known as an Early Day Motion calling for Sir Lindsay to go. This is not a binding procedure, but rather a way for MPs to show the discontent.
SNP and some Conservative MPs are the ones shouting the loudest for the Speaker to go.
Sir Lindsay has apologised for his decision, saying: “I made a mistake – we do make mistakes, I own up to mine.”
He stressed the safety of MPs was at the forefront of his mind when he made the decision – revealing that he had held meetings with police yesterday about threats posed to MPs.
“I will defend every member in this House. Both sides, I never ever want to go through a situation where I pick up a phone to find a friend, whatever side, has been murdered by terrorists,” Sir Lindsay said.
“I also don’t want an attack on this House.”
The SNP’s opposition has been based around the fact they believe their attempt to hold a debate turned into a debate on Labour’s motion.
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Some Conservative MPs have said they believe changing parliamentary procedure due to outside threats is wrong.
Robert Jenrick, the former Home Office minister, said: “We have allowed our streets to be dominated by Islamist extremists, and British Jews and others to be too intimidated to walk through central London week after week, and now we’re allowing Islamist extremists to intimidate British members of parliament.
“This is wrong, it has to stop, and would [Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt] organise a debate on extremism and how we tackle this challenge, which is one of the central issues facing our generation?”
