Speaker changing 'usual ways of parliament very concerning' - Sunak

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.

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"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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Starmer denies threatening Speaker

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, 64 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.

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