Hoyle’s about-turn on promise for ceasefire vote ‘outrageous’, Scottish nationalists claim

SIR LINDSAY HOYLE sparked fresh SNP fury yesterday as the number of MPS attempting to oust him as the Commons Speaker surged to 80.

He backtracked on a promise to grant the Scottish party a new vote on a Gaza ceasefire following last week’s chaotic scenes in Parliament. His decision drew scorn from Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, who said it was “outrageous” and accused him of having “broken his word”.

Sir Lindsay enraged the SNP last Wednesday when he selected a Labour amendment to their opposition day motion on an immediate truce in Gaza.

The decision ultimately meant that while Labour’s wording was nodded through, the Scottish party’s proposal did not advance to a vote at all. It caused uproar in the chamber with SNP and Tory MPS walking out in protest, and sparked subsequent calls for the Speaker to resign from his post.

Senior backbenchers accused him of making the decision so that Sir Keir Starmer could avoid the prospect of an embarrassing Labour rebellion.

Sir Lindsay rejected those accusations and insisted that he had been motivated by the fact that MPS were facing threats to their safety over the vote.

He subsequently apologised for the “mistake” and last Thursday offered to use his powers to grant an emergency debate on the same topic.

But he backtracked when pressed on the pledge by Mr Flynn, telling him: “I have decided the application for an emergency debate should not proceed.”

Sir Lindsay explained that his decision had been made because the Government was set to make a “relevant statement” in the Commons today.

He added that his clerks agreed with the decision, unlike last Wednesday when he overrode their advice to break Commons convention and allow Labour’s amendment. Andrew Mitchell, the Development Minister, was set to deliver an update on the situation in Gaza, though there were no plans for any vote to be held on a ceasefire.

Last night, it was reported Sir Keir could face an investigation by the privileges committee for pressuring the Speaker ahead of last week’s Gaza ceasefire vote. It is understood some SNP MPS support an investigation into the matter and that Penny Mordaunt, the Commons Leader, sees the move as a “breach of privilege”.

Discussions are said to be ongoing.