Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has rebuked ministers, including chief whip Jonathan Reynolds, for “unacceptable” behaviour during a vote on the Finance (No 2) Bill on Wednesday evening. The Speaker accused MPs of “pretending to be ill” and refusing to move when asked by the Serjeant at Arms, the chamber’s top official responsible for maintaining order.
In an explosive statement to the Commons on Thursday, Sir Lindsay said those involved “should be ashamed” and recommended the Government organise a “training exercise”. He singled out deputy chief whip Sir Mark Tami for “disrupting the rules the House”. The Speaker described the 22-minute delay in completing the vote as “beyond the pale”.
Sir Lindsay said: “The behaviour in the lobby last night, involving a group of about half a dozen Government members, including the chief and deputy chief whip, was totally unacceptable. I expect better from honourable members and right honourable members.” He added that the Serjeant lost his authority because MPs said “I am not moving”, pretending to be ill, but by seven o’clock they were “suddenly well again”.
Responding to the Speaker, Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell said he endorsed “everything that you have said about the need to respect staff” and assured the House that the Government’s words would be “acted upon”. Conservative shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman said the chief whip and deputy chief whip had “badly mis-stepped” and shown “scant respect for this House”.
