Lindsay Hoyle under pressure over Gaza vote as No 10 brands MP threats ‘attack on democracy’ - live

Rishi Sunak has said it is “unacceptable” for protesters to demonstrate outside MPs’ homes as Downing Street said protest must not “turn into abuse”.

Speaking during a tour of North Wales on Friday, the prime minister said: “It’s simply unacceptable for intimidation or aggressive behaviour to threaten our parliamentary democracy and our freedom of expression.”

He added that he is giving police more power to clamp down on “intimidation and aggressive behaviour”.

A No 10 spokesperson said: “We will continue to keep MPs’ security under review to ensure that they have the protections that they need. We’re also both clear that we won’t allow democracy to be silenced or stifled.

“And intimidation against MPs is an attack on democracy and we won’t allow that to win.”

James Cleverly also vowed to be vigilant against threats and pressure on MPs after Sir Lindsay Hoyle argued his actions in the Gaza ceasefire vote were motivated by concern about security.

More than 70 Conservative and SNP MPs signed a no-confidence motion in Sir Lindsay in the aftermath.

Key points

• ‘Protest must not turn into abuse’ - No. 10

• Sunak brands MP threats ‘unacceptable in response to protests outside MPs’ homes

• Home secretary backs Commons Speaker

• Cleverly says politicians should not make decisions based on threats

• Speaker’s actions very concerning, says Rishi Sunak

• Lindsay Hoyle apologises again over Gaza ceasefire vote

• Starmer denies threatening speaker

More than 70 MPs sign no confidence motion in Speaker

16:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

More than 70 MPs have now signed a motion expressing no confidence in the Speaker after angry scenes in the Commons on Wednesday.

Senior Conservatives and Scottish National Party MPs have put their names to the “early day motion” proposed by senior Tory William Wragg in a move intended to pressure the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, to step down.

On Friday afternoon, the total number of signatures stood at 71, including Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers, former Tory deputy chairmen Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and his deputy Mhairi Black.

More than half of the SNP’s Westminster contingent have signed the motion, reflecting anger in the party at the Speaker’s handling of its opposition day motion on Wednesday, while 40 Conservatives and one Independent, former Tory Rob Roberts, have joined them.

Environmental Audit Committee chairman Philip Dunne appeared to have signed the motion but then withdrew his signature shortly afterwards.

The total means that more than 10% of the Commons has backed the call for Sir Lindsay to step down, but the momentum behind Mr Wragg’s motion appears to have slowed with only four names being added to the list on Friday.

Cleverly backs Hoyle as almost 70 MPs sign call for Speaker to quit

16:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Home Secretary James Cleverly gave his personal backing to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle despite criticism of his handling of a Gaza ceasefire debate.

The Speaker gained the support of the senior Cabinet minister even as he faced continued pressure to step down.

Nearly 70 MPs, more than a tenth of the Commons, have signed a motion proposed by senior Conservative William Wragg expressing no confidence in him after Wednesday’s SNP Opposition Day vote descended into chaos.

Cleverly backs Hoyle as almost 70 MPs sign call for Speaker to quit

Welsh Conservative leader pledges to stop 20mph speed limits

15:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Welsh Conservative leader has pledged to scrap 20mph default speed limits if they got into power.

Speaking at the Welsh Conservative Conference in Llandudno, Andrew RT Davies said: “We’ll scrap Labour and Plaid’s barmy 20mph speed limits - to get Wales moving and stop the Welsh economy suffering a £9 billion hit.”

He added: “Labour wants to make Wales the place where common sense goes to die. And that is most clear when we look at Labour and Plaid’s barmy 20mph speed limits.

“This idea, dreamed up by lycra-clad lobbyists, has now become law in Wales. It’s common sense that outside schools and hospitals - 20mph should be the speed limit.

“But Labour and Plaid’s policy is extreme.

“They’ve admitted it’ll hit the Welsh economy by up to £9 billion. They’ve imposed it on Wales regardless.”

No 10 brands threats towards MPs an ‘attack on democracy'

14:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Downing Street declined to say whether Rishi Sunak supports protest exclusion zones around MPs’ offices.

A No 10 spokeswoman told reporters on Friday: “I’m just not going to get into specifics around protective security and arrangements...

“We will continue to keep MPs’ security under review to ensure that they have the protections that they need. We’re also both clear that we won’t allow democracy to be silenced or stifled.

“And intimidation against MPs is an attack on democracy and we won’t allow that to win.”

14:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Lindsay Hoyle apologises to MPs after Commons chaos: ‘I made a mistake’

What are the threats to MPs that Sir Lindsay Hoyle is referring to?

14:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

After the speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, evoked MPs’ safety in his explanation for the farcical display on Wednesday night, Sean O’Grady reflects on horrifying events that prove just how real that danger can be:

Facing MPs to explain himself and to apologise for the chaos that resulted, the speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, elaborated on his previous references to MPs’ safety being a factor in his recent decisions.

Once again visibly emotional, Sir Lindsay said that he never again wants to pick up the phone “to find a friend has been murdered”. He added: “I made a mistake – we do make mistakes, I own up to mine.”

What are the threats to MPs that Sir Lindsay Hoyle is referring to?

PM offers support to protesting farmers in Wales

14:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak has offered his support for protesting farmers in Wales.

Taking questions after a speech at the Welsh Conservative conference in Llandudno on Friday, the Prime Minister said: “You can just really tell the visceral anger amongst the farming community here in Wales about what has been done to them.

“That anger is palpable, and they have every right to be angry.

“By the Welsh Government’s own assessment, their ideas are going to lead to thousands of job losses, reduce our food production and food security and destroy farm incomes.

“It just demonstrates again why their plans are the wrong ones, and the wrong ones particularly for rural Wales.

“There are farmers outside here today and they are expressing that anger and we will do everything we can, and you guys are doing a great job of highlighting that this is the reality of a Labour in power.”

Government ‘undeterred’ in plans to quash convictions of wronged subpostmasters

13:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Downing Street said the government remains “undeterred” in plans to quash the convictions of wronged subpostmasters.

Asked about the Post Office’s comment that it stood by more than 350 Horizon scandal prosecutions, a No 10 spokeswoman said: “We remain undeterred in our plans that we set out.

“You would have seen the update that we provided yesterday on scope and some of the timings around that.

“We think it’s right that we take what is an extraordinary step to overturn convictions.

“This was one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nation’s history, so we continue to work to deliver that swiftly.”

Police ‘need powers to disperse threatening protests outside Parliament’

13:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police should have the powers to “disperse” protests around Parliament, MPs’ offices and council chambers that they deem to be threatening, the Government’s political violence tsar has said.

Baron Walney, the UK Government’s adviser on political violence and disruption, said the “aggressive intimidation of MPs” by “mobs” was being “mistaken” for an “expression of democracy”.

The comments by Lord Walney come as the issue of MP safety has once again reared its head this week following a chaotic debate on the Israel-Hamas war.

Police ‘need powers to disperse threatening protests outside Parliament’

‘Wrong’ for pro-Palestine message to be projected onto Parliament- Downing Street

13:07 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

It was “wrong” for a controversial pro-Palestinian message to be projected onto Parliament, Downing Street said, but stopped short of saying police should have intervened.

A No 10 spokeswoman told journalists: “It is rightly a decision for the independent police to make operational decisions on the ground.

“But at the same time, I think most people would agree, irrespective of operational decisions which are rightly for the police, that that that was wrong.

“And we are extremely mindful and would continue to urge people to be mindful of the fear and distress felt by people and many communities around the country.”

She added: “We’re very clear that harassment, abuse, intimidation is unacceptable.”

‘Protest must not turn into abuse’ - No 10

12:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Asked about political violence tsar Lord Walney’s bid to give police powers to disperse protests around Parliament, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “We continue to keep in close contact with the police to ensure that they have the powers that they need to manage protests appropriately.

“And we’re very clear that while protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, we must and will not allow that to turn into abuse, incitement of hatred and violence against others. That is unacceptable.”

‘A race to the bottom for politics’: British Muslim and Palestinian groups criticise Commons chaos

11:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

British Muslim and Palestinian organisations have criticised the “disgraceful” House of Commons session which descended into chaos over the Gaza ceasefire debate.

The controversy was sparked when Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle broke convention to allow MPs to vote on a Labour amendment to the SNP’s Gaza ceasefire motion, sparking anger which has resulted in more than 60 MPs voting a no-confidence motion against him.

As the uproar in Westminster continues, organisations pushing for an immediate ceasefire have accused parliament of losing sight of the war through political games, as Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry estimates more than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict.

British Muslim and Palestinian groups slam Commons ceasefire chaos

Government tells police to crackdown on protests at MPs’ homes after Gaza Commons furore

11:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The home secretary has said police must crackdown on mobs who intimidate MPs at their homes after the Commons speaker warned of ‘frightening’ threats against politicians.

James Cleverly called for democracy to be defended, hours after Rishi Sunak said parliament should never bow to “extremists”.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle cited fears over MPs safety after he was accused of “hijacking” a debate on Gaza and ripping up parliamentary procedure to favour Labour.

Government tells police to crackdown on protests at MP’s homes after Commons furore

Sunak optimistic as ‘economy has turned the corner'

11:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Rishi Sunak has said the public are “feeling that the economy has turned the corner” and “things are getting better”.

Taking questions after a speech at the Welsh Conservative conference in Llandudno on Friday, the Prime Minister said: “There is a palpable sense out there, regardless of what Keir Starmer might want to say because he’s always keen to talk down Britain, I can tell actually on the ground people are, since the beginning of this year, feeling that the economy has turned the corner.

“They do see those green shoots. They can see that things are getting better.

“Inflation has been more than halved, mortgage rates starting to come down, wages have been rising for six, seven months in a row now.

“We just saw today ... energy bills significantly down. Consumer confidence, business confidence, again, survey out yesterday, highest it’s been in years. Businesses like yours feeling better about the future.

“And that is why it is so important that we stick to our plan.”

Cleverly denies UK’s borders are insecure following Brexit

11:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

James Cleverly denied that the UK’s borders have been left insecure since Brexit.

The Home Secretary said the UK was a member of EU institutions including border agency Frontex before the EU referendum.

Asked whether the vote to leave had left Britain’s borders insecure, he told LBC Radio: “That’s not the case at all.

“Leaving the European Union meant we were able to define our own immigration policy...

“We are not going back into an organisation. We’re making an agreement with an organisation that we have left.

Police ‘need powers to disperse threatening protests outside Parliament’

10:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police should have the powers to “disperse” protests around Parliament, MPs’ offices and council chambers that they deem to be threatening, the Government’s political violence tsar has said.

Baron Walney, the UK Government’s adviser on political violence and disruption, said the “aggressive intimidation of MPs” by “mobs” was being “mistaken” for an “expression of democracy”.

The comments by Lord Walney come as the issue of MP safety has once again reared its head this week following a chaotic debate on the Israel-Hamas war.

Police ‘need powers to disperse threatening protests outside Parliament’

10:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Starmer insists he did not threaten Lindsay Hoyle ‘in any way’ over Gaza vote

Cleverly backs Hoyle as almost 70 MPs sign call for Speaker to quit

10:04 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Home Secretary James Cleverly gave his personal backing to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle despite criticism of his handling of a Gaza ceasefire debate.

The Speaker gained the support of the senior Cabinet minister even as he faced continued pressure to step down.

Nearly 70 MPs, more than a tenth of the Commons, have signed a motion proposed by senior Conservative William Wragg expressing no confidence in him after Wednesday’s SNP Opposition Day vote descended into chaos.

Cleverly backs Hoyle as almost 70 MPs sign call for Speaker to quit

Cleverly does not ‘always agree with everything’ Braverman says after former home secretary claims ‘Islamists are in charge now'

09:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

James Cleverly said he did not “always agree with everything” his predecessor Suella Braverman says after she claimed “Islamists, the extremists and the antisemites are in charge now”.

The Home Secretary told LBC: “She’s clearly expressing frustrations that she’s felt whilst she was in this role.

“And I understand that. And she and I remain close friends - that doesn’t mean to say I always agree with everything she’s saying.

“But it is absolutely the case that we must make sure that we crack down on extremist behaviour, it’s absolutely the case that we must not let our democracy be distorted through fear or intimidation.”

Asked about her comment that “turning a blind eye to fanatics has got us into this terrible situation”, Mr Cleverly said: “I’m not sure who she’s referring to when she’s talking about turning a blind eye, because I certainly haven’t turned a blind eye since I’ve been the Home Secretary.”

‘Nonsense’ for protesters to stand outside MPs’ homes- Cleverly

09:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

It is “nonsense” for protesters outside MPs’ homes to claim they are not seeking to intimidate, James Cleverly has said.

“Someone saying: ‘I’m standing outside someone’s private house in numbers, but we don’t seek to intimidate’, I’m sorry, that’s clearly nonsense,” the Home Secretary told the BBC’s Today programme.

“Where a mob of people are outside someone’s private residence, clearly with the intention of distorting their future votes, that is unacceptable and we expect the police to deal with it.”

He said police already have the powers that they need to stop protests outside MPs’ homes and offices, “and we also want them to understand that they have our backing when they use those powers”.

“The only thing that politicians should fear is the ballot box,” Mr Cleverly said.

“It’s incredibly important... that we do not allow a situation to be created where people cannot vote with their belief and conscience because of fear of reprisals.

“The ballot box is where people and organisations should make their views clear.”

Sunak says it is ‘unacceptable’ to threaten democracy in response to protests outside MPs’ homes

09:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

It is “unacceptable” for intimidation to threaten democracy, Rishi Sunak has said.

Speaking during a tour of North Wales on Friday, the Prime Minister was asked about protests outside MPs’ homes.

He told reporters: “I think MPs’ safety is incredibly important. And it’s right that in our society, democracy needs to be able to function smoothly. People need to be able to raise their views and debate things without the fear of being intimidated or indeed attacked.

“And that’s why we’re giving police more powers to clamp down on protests.

“It’s simply unacceptable for intimidation or aggressive behaviour to threaten our parliamentary democracy and our freedom of expression.

“And some of the scenes we’ve been seeing in recent months, particularly antisemitic behaviour, are appalling and unacceptable. That’s why we’re giving the police more powers and I expect them to use them to make sure we clamp down on all of this.”

Cleverly says politicians should not make decisions based on threats

08:51 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Politicians should not make decisions based on “fear or favour,” James Cleverly has said.

After the Speaker argued his actions in the Gaza ceasefire vote were motivated by concern about MPs’ security, the Home Secretary said he was “conscious that there has been increased pressure” on parliamentarians.

He told Sky News: “I’ve not had any specific threats brought to me, but we will stay constantly vigilant.

“But the point I would make is ultimately Members of Parliament and indeed elected officials through all layers of Government have got to act without fear or favour.

“They need to be defended and we’re absolutely determined to do that.”

The Cabinet minister continued: “We should not be changing our procedures in response to threats or intimidation. That would indicate that the threats and the intimidation is working. That’s the opposite of the message that we want to send.”

He added that “people who make decisions in Government at whatever level are doing so based on their judgment, based on the information, based on their beliefs, not based on fear of reprisals.”

Home secretary will no ‘impinge on police operational decisions’

08:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Home Secretary said he would not “impinge on operational decisions” by the police when asked whether officers should have stopped a controversial pro-Palestinian message being projected onto Parliament.

The phrase “from the river to the sea” was reportedly beamed onto the building on Wednesday as Gaza protesters descended on Westminster.

James Cleverly told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s very difficult for me to second-guess the operational nature of this.

“I don’t know where those images were projected from. I don’t know how easy it would have been for the police officers to get there.

“But the fact is they are deeply, deeply offensive words... The implication is the eradication of the state of Israel. And both personally and as a Government, we completely reject that.”

He said the operational nature of policing was a matter for chief constables, the Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Cleverly backs Commons Speaker

08:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Home secretary James Cleverly has firmly backed Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle amid criticism of his handling of the Gaza ceasefire debate.

The senior Cabinet minister told Sky News on Friday: “I think the Speaker has done a fantastic job. I think he’s been a breath of fresh air compared with his predecessor.

“He made a mistake. He’s apologised for the mistake.

“My view is that I’m supportive of him.”

Mr Cleverly said it was his personal view because the selection of the Speaker is “House business” rather than for Government ministers to decide.

‘A race to the bottom for politics’: British Muslim and Palestinian groups criticise Commons chaos

08:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

British Muslim and Palestinian organisations have criticised the “disgraceful” House of Commons session which descended into chaos over the Gaza ceasefire debate.

The controversy was sparked when Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle broke convention to allow MPs to vote on a Labour amendment to the SNP’s Gaza ceasefire motion, sparking anger which has resulted in more than 60 MPs voting a no-confidence motion against him.

As the uproar in Westminster continues, organisations pushing for an immediate ceasefire have accused parliament of losing sight of the war through political games, as Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry estimates more than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict.

British Muslim and Palestinian groups slam Commons ceasefire chaos

The threats to MPs that Sir Lindsay Hoyle fears

07:00 , Jane Dalton

Two MPs have been murdered, some have faced death threats or racist abuse, offices have been firebombed and protesters demonstrated at an MP’s home. Constituency surgeries are vulnerable, too:

What are the threats to MPs that Sir Lindsay Hoyle is referring to?

Analysis: Does Britain still have a credible nuclear deterrent?

05:45 , Jane Dalton

The worst of all worlds is to have one that might not work, and for your enemies to know all about it, writes Sean O’Grady:

Does Britain still possess a credible nuclear deterrent?

Exactly why did MPs walk out in protest at speaker?

04:15 , Jane Dalton

Gaza vote: Why did MPs walk out in protest at speaker Lindsay Hoyle?

Analysis: Hoyle’s choice was disgraceful

03:00 , Jane Dalton

Sir Lindsay Hoyle implied he had changed the rules to protect Labour MPs from the threat of violence if they failed to vote for a ceasefire. This was an appalling suggestion, writes John Rentoul:

Is the integrity of parliament being destroyed by the speaker? | John Rentoul

Anger as Northern Ireland excluded from Post Office law

01:45 , Jane Dalton

Northern Ireland’s justice minister says she is deeply disappointed that legislation to exonerate subpostmasters wronged in the Horizon scandal excludes the region.

Naomi Long said she would urgently review options to provide an alternative remedy for subpostmasters in Northern Ireland.

Details of blanket legislation to exonerate subpostmasters convicted in England and Wales was published on Thursday after Rishi Sunak earlier this year said they were victims of “one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nation’s history”.

Last month, Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake told MPs that while justice is a devolved issue in Northern Ireland, the Government wanted to see a consistent approach across the UK.

However, Ms Long criticised the Westminster Government after it failed to include Northern Ireland in its legislation.

Victims of Post Office Horizon scandal to have names cleared by new law

00:30 , Jane Dalton

Post Office victims wronged in Horizon scandal to have names cleared by new law

Editorial: Now the war in Gaza is poisoning British politics

Thursday 22 February 2024 23:15 , Jane Dalton

Some of the arguments about Gaza – in parliament, online, in demonstrations – twist the motives and policies of opponents grotesquely:

Now the war in Gaza is poisoning British politics

Backers of no-confidence motion rise to 67

Thursday 22 February 2024 22:04 , Jane Dalton

The number of supporters of the no-confidence motion in the speaker has risen to 67.

One, Conservative Philip Dunne, has withdrawn his name from it.

Watch: Liz Truss appears to claim pro-Palestine marches ‘protesting in favour of terrorism’

Thursday 22 February 2024 21:01 , Jane Dalton

'Growing number of Tory MPs back immediate ceasefire’

Thursday 22 February 2024 20:15 , Jane Dalton

A former Cabinet minister has said a growing number of Conservative MPs are coming round to supporting calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Kit Malthouse, who has previously backed a ceasefire, told the BBC’s PM programme how many Conservatives now supported his view.

He said: “I think a growing number, and certainly although there was no kind of organised whipping of people of my view, definitely we had people coming forward who were asking what I was going to do and how they should vote and what they were thinking about doing.

“So I think there is definitely growing concern.”

He added that he would favour a rerun of the debate to allow MPs to record a vote on proposals for a ceasefire.

Full report: Starmer forced to deny threatening speaker as Sunak piles on pressure

Thursday 22 February 2024 19:25 , Jane Dalton

Starmer forced to deny threatening speaker Hoyle as Sunak piles on the pressure

Watchdog investigates Tory MP accused of misusing taxpayers’ money

Thursday 22 February 2024 18:35 , Jane Dalton

A watchdog investigation has been launched after minister Paul Maynard allegedly used his constituency office as a Tory campaign headquarters.

Standards watchdog investigates Tory MP accused of misusing taxpayers’ money

Top Tory defends speaker, citing his obsession with MPs’ safety

Thursday 22 February 2024 17:50 , Jane Dalton

A senior Tory MP has said Sir Lindsay Hoyle is obsessed with the safety of MPs and it is almost certain that was the reason behind his decision on Wednesday to defy protocol.

Charles Walker said the decision was a mistake, but told Radio 4’s World At One: “I don’t think there was any malice behind it.

“I sit with him on the House of Commons Commission and I can testify to the fact that he is obsessed with the safety of Members of Parliament and their staff and all those that work on the precinct of the Palace of Westminster.

“And I am almost certain that is what motivated the decision yesterday - to make sure everybody in the House of Commons had a chance to vote for something that they could vote for.”

Event: Ask John Rentoul anything as chaos over handling of Gaza vote

Thursday 22 February 2024 17:24 , Jane Dalton

Why are the SNP and Tories so outraged? Why are MPs calling for Sir Lindsay Hoyle to resign? What was the protocol he breached?

The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul will answer all your questions following calls for Sir Lindsay to stand down. How to submit a question and join the live event:

Ask John Rentoul anything as chaos follows Commons vote row

Speaker clings to role as Starmer forced to deny threats

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:50 , Jane Dalton

Speaker clings to role as as Keir Starmer forced to deny threats

Sunak warns against 'slippery slope of changing how Parliament works’

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:33 , Jane Dalton

Rishi Sunak said the way in which Sir Lindsay Hoyle had changed the usual ways in which Parliament works was very concerning.

“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,” the prime minister said.

During a visit to North Wales, 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.”

Tory MP backs speaker as ‘decent and honourable’

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:25 , Jane Dalton

Conservative MP Philip Davies offered his backing to Sir Lindsay Hoyle, telling the Commons: “The Speaker is a good, decent and honourable man and we’re lucky to have him as the Speaker of the House of Commons.

“He has my absolute 100% full support and my total confidence.

“He made a mistake yesterday and unlike most politicians he’s been big enough to come to the House to admit he made a mistake, if only other MPs would admit when they make mistakes we’d probably be seen in a better light.

“I’m pretty certain he retains the full confidence of the overwhelming majority of people on both sides of the House.”

On Wednesday night, Mr Davies referred to claims the speaker had been warned that Labour would “bring him down” after the general election unless he called their Gaza amendment.

Should speaker resign? Join the Independent debate

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:15 , Jane Dalton

Tell us if speaker Lindsay Hoyle should resign over Gaza ceasefire vote chaos

Sunak says speaker’s actions ‘very concerning'

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:11 , Jane Dalton

Prime minister Rishi Sunak criticised Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s handling of the Gaza ceasefire vote as “very concerning”, but said the Commons Speaker was “reflecting on what happened”.

He warned that parliamentarians should never be intimidated by “extremists”.

Sunak says speaker’s actions ‘very concerning'

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:11 , Jane Dalton

Prime minister Rishi Sunak criticised Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s handling of the Gaza ceasefire vote as “very concerning”, but said the Commons Speaker was “reflecting on what happened”.

He warned that parliamentarians should never be intimidated by “extremists”.

Signatures on no-confidence motion rise to 65

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:07 , Jane Dalton

The number of MPs who have signed a no-confidence motion in the speaker has risen to 65.

Watch: Islamist extremists must be stopped from intimidating MPs, says Jenrick

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:00 , Jane Dalton

Islamist extremists must be stopped from intimidating UK MPs, says Jenrick

Trust in Sir Lindsay eroded, says Scottish Tory leader

Thursday 22 February 2024 15:40 , Jane Dalton

Trust in Sir Lindsay has been eroded after the events of Wednesday evening, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has said.

The Speaker has “an awful lot of work to do” to rebuild the confidence of MPs, he added.

Speaking to journalists in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Ross said: “I am going to reflect on the discussions that the Speaker has with party leaders and with chief whips.

“But I don’t think anyone should understate the seriousness of the situation and the trust that has been eroded from someone who I like and respect and have worked well with, the Speaker of the House.”

SNP Westminster leader tells speaker to quit

Thursday 22 February 2024 15:15 , Jane Dalton

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has called for a no-confidence vote in the speaker and suggested he quit after Wednesday’s vote “descended into farce”.

Addressing the Speaker in the Commons on Thursday, he said: “My colleagues and I were denied the ability to vote on a matter which is of grave concern to us and which over recent months we have sought to raise in this chamber at every available opportunity.

“It ultimately turned into a Labour opposition day. That quite frankly is not acceptable.

“As I have expressed to you privately prior to proceedings here today, we do not on these benches therefore believe that you can continue in your role as speaker.”

No-confidence motion signatures rise to 61

Thursday 22 February 2024 14:49 , Jane Dalton

The number of MPs who have signed a motion of no confidence in the speaker has risen to 61.

All of them are either Conservative or SNP.

MP says his elderly parents were threatened with being stabbed to death

Thursday 22 February 2024 14:34 , Jane Dalton

A Conservative MP has revealed his elderly parents were threatened with being stabbed to death following a previous opposition day debate.

MP for Leigh James Grundy told MPs: “We all face difficult votes in this House. I myself saw the consequences of one of those votes when after an opposition day debate some time ago, my elderly parents were threatened with being stabbed to death.”

He added: “When we do vote on difficult matters, we should all do so under the same set of rules. I think that is very important.

“I think that yesterday, certainly many on this side of the House felt that the changing of the order of business meant that whilst entirely legitimately Labour MPs were protected from potential threats of violence and murder, people on this side of the House were consequentially more exposed to such threats.”

Mr Grundy continued: “We cannot continue like this - such breaches of procedure are unacceptable. Everyone’s right in this House to vote in the way that they wish and their security should be equal across all benches.”

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt replied: “It is not just what is directed against us, it is directed against members of our family, perhaps most appallingly honourable members’ children as well.”

Investigation into ‘antisemitic projection on to Parliament’

Thursday 22 February 2024 14:18 , Jane Dalton

Authorities are investigating reports that the words “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – widely considered antisemitic – were projected on to Parliament on Wednesday, Penny Mordaunt has said.

Conservative former minister Andrew Percy told the Commons: “Last night a genocidal call for ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ was projected on to this building.”

The Commons Leader said: “With regard to the projections put on this building last night, that is being looked at by both the Speaker’s Office, parliamentary security, the Metropolitan Police, and Westminster City Council, who will be responsible for pursuing prosecutions in that case.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, Mr Percy said: “If we have a re-run of the debate we had yesterday we will have exactly the same thing happen again which is that members will not vote with their heart because they are frightened and they are scared.”

Ms Mordaunt said she believes all MPs have been subject to threats, “increasingly death threats”, and that she has herself. She said there are measures that can be taken to better ensure security.

But she told MPs: “We have to show courage, and our constituents need us to show courage on these matters. We must vote and do what we think is right.”

Islamist extremists intimidating MPs, says ex-minister

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:52 , Jane Dalton

Islamist extremists are being allowed to intimidate British MPs and must be stopped, former Home Office minister Robert Jenrick has said.

He said the “real issue” of the past 24 hours in Parliament was not the “party political shenanigans” but that the House of Commons “appears cowed by threats of violence and intimidation”.

Mr Jenrick, before Sir Lindsay’s latest statement, told business questions: “The Mother of Parliaments appears weakened and diminished.

“We have allowed our streets to be dominated by Islamist extremists, and British Jews and others to be too intimidated to walk through central London week after week, and now we’re allowing Islamist extremists to intimidate British Members of Parliament.

“This is wrong, it has to stop, and would (Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt) organise a debate on extremism and how we tackle this challenge, which is one of the central issues facing our generation?”

Ms Mordaunt replied: “I could not agree more with (Mr Jenrick).

“British Jews are suffering a grotesque level of hatred and abuse, which quite frankly shames our country, and he is absolutely right that there cannot be any tolerance or quarter given to those individuals that threaten and try and prevent Members of Parliament conducting their business and honouring the obligations they have to their constituents to use their judgment when they come into this place.”

Shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell had raised concerns that MPs’ decisions were starting to be influenced by inappropriate pressure from campaigners, saying: “As we debate these important matters, a long shadow is increasingly cast over us. Threats, intimidation and security concerns.”

Watch: Lindsay Hoyle apologises again, admitting ‘I made a mistake’

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:42 , Jane Dalton

Lindsay Hoyle apologises to MPs after Commons chaos: ‘I made a mistake’

Vote on Labour amendment stands

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:35 , Jane Dalton

The outcome of the vote in favour of a Labour amendment in the Gaza debate on Wednesday stands, the Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt has said.

Conservative MP Matthew Offord told MPs: “The level of intimidation is unacceptable, but it’s also many of my constituents who have faced a level of antisemitism that we have never seen before.”

Dr Offord added: “How do I reassure my constituents that this place does not treat issues of interest to my Jewish constituents differently, when last night the Labour motion came after the moment of interruption and was nodded through without a vote?”

Ms Mordaunt said: “I know honourable members will be asking questions about what happened with regard to the vote last night. I can say to honourable members I have consulted with the clerks of the House and the vote stands because it is a matter for the chair.

“And I would encourage colleagues to go and talk to the clerks of the House to understand that more. But I fully appreciate the anger and disappointment from all sides of the House about people not being able to vote on particular motions or amendments last night and what happened after the moment of interruption.”

SNP leader says Hoyle’s position untenable

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:30 , Jane Dalton

SNP leader Humza Yousaf has said the position of Sir Lindsay Hoyle “looks untenable”.

Asked whether the Speaker should stand down, he said: “As Stephen [Flynn] my colleague has said, he has serious questions to answer.

“His position looks to me to be untenable.

“What we saw was frankly disgraceful, chaotic scenes in the House of Commons.

“And I think the true tragedy of that is that it takes away from what is the most important issue and that is the fact that we have an absolute humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded and is deepening in Gaza.”

Lindsay Hoyle apologises to SNP over Gaza ceasefire vote

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has apologised to the SNP today as he said: “I also don’t want another attack on this House. I was in the chair on that day.

“I have seen, I have witnessed, I won’t share the details, but the details of the things that have been brought to me are absolutely frightening on all members of this House, on all sides.

“I have a duty of care, and I say that, and if my mistake is looking after Members I am guilty.”

Sir Lindsay added: “I am guilty because... I have a duty of care that I will carry out to protect people.

“It is the protection that led me to make a wrong decision but what I do not apologise (for) is the risk that has been put on all Members at the moment. I had serious meetings yesterday with the police on the issues and threats to politicians for us heading to an election.

“I do not want anything to happen again. So yes, I will apologise, I always will when I make a mistake. I did, I offer an SO24, that is within my gift and power. But I will also say I will do whatever it is to protect anybody in this chamber or anybody who work in this House. That is my duty of care.”

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell raised concerns that MPs’ decisions are starting to be influenced by inappropriate pressure being applied from campaigners.

She said: “As we debate these important matters, a long shadow is increasingly cast over us. Threats, intimidation and security concerns.”

She added: “I know it is of huge concern to Mr Speaker too and something which keeps him awake at night, and is his first priority.” She said “the legitimate lobbying of members if part and parcel of our job and our democracy”, but added: “Yet we are increasingly seeing a line being crossed.

“I know members feel uncomfortable discussing their experiences for fear of attracting more unwanted attention, or because we don’t want to come across as whingeing when we have such privileged positions.”

She said reports that the homes of MPs would be targeted during the upcoming election have “caused huge anxiety” and is a “totally unacceptable development”.

She said: “It’s antidemocratic and undoubtedly now starting to affect people’s decisions and their behaviours. That is wrong and we must do more to address it.”

Watch: Penny Mordaunt claims Speaker Hoyle is victim of ‘weak and fickle’ Starmer

Thursday 22 February 2024 12:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Starmer denies threatening Sir Lindsay Hoyle to select Labour’s amendment

Thursday 22 February 2024 12:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has “categorically” denied threatening Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to select Labour’s amendment in the Gaza ceasefire debate in a move that unleashed parliamentary chaos.

Speaking at a train depot in Sussex he said: “I can categorically tell you that I did not threaten the Speaker in any way whatsoever.

“I simply urged to ensure that we have the broadest possible debate.

“So that actually the most important thing , which is what do we do about the situation in Gaza, could be properly discussed by MPs with a number of options in front of them.”

Starmer says Sir Lindsay Hoyle did ‘the right thing’ by selecting Labour’s amendments

Thursday 22 February 2024 12:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Sir Lindsay Hoyle did “the right thing” by selecting Labour’s amendment in the Gaza ceasefire debate, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Sir Keir said: “The Speaker did the right thing in making sure the debate was broad.

“But the tragedy is the SNP walked off the pitch because they wanted to divide the Labour Party and they couldn’t, and the Government walked off the pitch because it thought it was going to lose a vote.

“So we had one party that was simply seeking to divide on an important issue, the Government lost control of its own MPs and couldn’t control the votes.

“We should have had a proper debate and a proper resolution with all three propositions being put to a vote.”

No PM backing in blow for Lindsay Hoyle

Thursday 22 February 2024 12:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Prime Minister’s spokesman has refused to say that Rishi Sunak has confidence in the Speaker.

Repeatedly asked by reporters if the prime minister backs the Speaker following the furore in the House of Commons last night, the PM’s spox said that Mr Sunak’s focus remains on “addressing a very serious situation” in the middle east.

He added that “obviously the Prime Minister would have very serious concerns” if MPs were “coming under unacceptable pressure”.

He would not say that the prime minister had full confidence in Sir Lindsay Hoyle, nor would he clarify if the pair had met.

Mordaunt says SNP have ‘right to debate their issues'

Thursday 22 February 2024 12:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Penny Mordaunt said she was sympathetic to giving the SNP further opportunities to lead debates in the Commons, after suggestions from the party that Labour had overtaken their opposition day.

The Commons Leader said: “It is no secret to anyone that regularly tunes into these sessions that I frequently disagree with the Scottish National Party on everything that they raise in this chamber.

“But they have a right to say these things on the floor of the House and debate their issues. If I was able to speak in the debate yesterday I would have been critical of how they brought forward the motion and perhaps their motives for doing so, but it is their right to do that and our standing orders protect the ability in particularly of minority parties to be able to have those debates.”

“There are serious consequences to the decision that was taken yesterday for minority parties and also for the Government. Our amendment was the only one for example that mentioned violence against women and girls that took place.”

She added: “I am very sympathetic to the SNP being given more time. I also have to say I am sympathetic about it being knocked off the Labour Party’s allocation.

“With regard to the serious matter of Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker did come to the House yesterday, he did apologise and I know he is meeting with all parties on this matter, and I will be meeting with him later today.”

Mordaunt blames Labour for Commons chaos

Thursday 22 February 2024 12:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt blamed the Labour Party for chaotic scenes in the Commons on Wednesday.

Speaking in the Commons, she said: “This House will never bow to extremists, threats, or intimidation. It has not, it will not, it must not.

“And I would ask all honourable members not to do this House a further disservice by suggesting that the shameful events that took place yesterday were anything other than party politics on behalf of the Labour Party.”

Ireland tells UN’s top courts states must oblige to bring end to ‘Israel’s serious breach'

Thursday 22 February 2024 11:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ireland has told the UN’s top court that states are obliged to co-operate to bring an end to “Israel’s serious breach” of its duty to respect the rights of Palestinian people.

Irish attorney general Rossa Fanning said states are obliged not to render aid or assistance in maintaining this situation.

He said it was Ireland’s view that all states are required to review trading relationships with settlements in the OPT, requiring them to take steps to prevent trade which maintains settlement activity or implicitly legitimises Israel’s annexation of that territory.

Mr Fanning also told the International Court of Justice that Israel’s military occupation of the OPT since 1967 has involved extensive, permanent and deliberate settlement building.

He said: “Neither the duration of the occupation nor the scale and extent of settlement activity is, in Ireland’s view, justified or permitted by the law regulating the use of force in self defence.

“Indeed, if the security of one people can only be achieved by the occupation over so many decades of the territory of another people, one has to wonder whether there can be any military solution to the problem that it purports to address. In our view, the only effective solution to the problem can be a political one.”

‘We have nothing to eat’: Desperate Gaza children march against bombing and food shortages

Thursday 22 February 2024 11:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Young children in Gaza have marched in protest against bombardment of the war-torn enclave and ongoing food shortages.

A video taken on Wednesday morning showed a group of boys and girls calling for an end to Israel’s siege, as the reported dead toll in Gaza approaches 30,000 since the 7 October Hamas attacks.

They held homemade posters, shouted and banged sticks on saucepans and trays as they walked past rubble and destroyed vehicles in northern Gaza.

Athena Stavrou has more:

‘We want food’: Desperate Gaza children march against bombing and food shortages