Sir Keir Starmer clashed with Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a heated Prime Minister's Questions session, leading to a rebuke from Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The Speaker told Johnson, 'I'm in charge,' after the Prime Minister repeatedly pressed Starmer to reveal the source of fees paid for legal work before he became Labour leader.
Sir Lindsay intervened, stating, 'I don't want to fall out about it, I've made it very clear – it is Prime Minister's Questions, it's not for the Opposition to answer your questions.' He added, 'Whether we like it or not those are the rules of the game that we're all into and we play by the rules, don't we? And we respect this House, so let's respect the House.'
When Johnson attempted to raise the issue again, the Speaker firmly said, 'Prime Minister, sit down. I'm not going to be challenged, you may be the Prime Minister of this country but in this House I'm in charge.'
At the end of the session, Sir Lindsay described the exchanges as 'ill-tempered' and said, 'I don't think this has done this House any good today. I think it shows the public that this House has not learnt from the other week. I need this House to gain respect but it starts by individuals showing respect for each other.'
During the session, Sir Keir accused Johnson of being 'a coward, not a leader,' prompting the Speaker to note that 'coward' is not a term used in the House.
