National threat to Speaker

National has threatened to move a motion of no confidence in Speaker Trevor Mallard if he does not explain why he spoke to the media about a “very sexist” comment he says he heard a National MP make about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

The motion would have little chance of being passed given the Coalition Government and support partner the Greens would vote against it.

The threat from Shadow Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee came after another feisty Question Time yesterday.

Deputy National leader Paula Bennett became the first MP to be kicked out of the debating chamber by Mallard.

She left the House voluntarily on Wednesday after becoming frustrated with Mallard’s rulings but yesterday she was told to leave after a prolonged argument between the Speaker and several National MPs.

Mallard also threatened to name National MP David Bennett when he hesitated to apologise for a remark he made about one of the Speaker’s rulings. That is a more serious sanction than being removed from the House, as it can lead to an MP being suspended and losing voting rights.

Mallard also made National MP Matt King apologise to him for making a “barnyard noise”.

National on Wednesday accused Mallard of feeding information to the media about one of its MPs calling Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern a “silly little girl”.

Brownlee said he hoped Mallard would use the next two weeks while Parliament is not sitting to consider whether he would address National’s complaint.