Tory and SNP MPs have stormed out of the House of Commons in protest against Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s decision to accept an amendment tabled by the Labour Party.
A large number of Conservative MPs joined SNP opponents out of the lower chamber as Deputy Speaker Rosie Winterton struggled to control the fury.
The walkout came shortly after Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt confirmed the Government will play no further part in tonight’s proceedings.
She said: “Regrettably Mr Speaker has inserted himself into the row and undermined the confidence of this House in being able to rely on its long established standing orders to govern its debates.”
SNP leader Stephen Flynn was also fuming over the Speaker’s decision not to appear in the Commons.
He even called for the Commons to be suspended until Hoyle is brought back to the chamber.
Flynn said: “Where on earth is the Speaker of the House of Commons and how do we bring him to this House now to explain to the SNP why our views and our votes in this House are irrelevant to him?”
The decision to desert the Commons will likely mean Labour’s amendment passes but will also mount even more pressure on Hoyle’s position in the chair.
Tory MP William Wragg decided to table an early day motion declaring no confidence in the Commons Speaker after he was accused of breaking established parliamentary convention.
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