Michael Gove backs Lindsay Hoyle and says the ‘real issue’ is extremist thugs after Commons ceasefire chaos

MICHAEL Gove today came out to back under-fire Sir Lindsay Hoyle, insisting MPs should "respect the ref".

The Housing Secretary told The Sun that accusations of bias against the Commons Speaker isn't the "real issue".

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Instead, politicians should turn their rage towards extremist thugs threatening democracy.

Mr Gove said: "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."

The Speaker today confessed to being "guilty" of botching yesterday's debate on Gaza - but insisted it was all in a daring effort to protect MPs.

Sir Lindsay is facing growing calls to resign amid accusations he bent the rules to spare Sir Keir Starmer a backbench revolt over Gaza.

Some 59 MPs have now signed a no confidence motion telling the Speaker to quit.

Downing Street repeatedly refused to say whether Rishi Sunak has confidence in him today, while the SNP has called for a vote of no confidence in him.

Mr Gove told The Sun: "We have a situation where MPs are being told that they have to vote a particular way, or they're going to face pressure from extremist groups.

"The issue is being able to say to extremists outside the House of Commons: get back.

"You are not going to force elected representatives to vote in a particular way because of your tactics, and because of your commitment to extremist causes."