Emergency measures to cut number of MPs allowed into Commons chamber, after Westminster named as ‘coronavirus hotspot’

Tory chief whip tells MPs to stay away from chamber unless mentioned on parliament’s order paper

Only MPs on the order paper should attend prime minister’s questions, the Tory chief whip has advised (Getty)

Emergency measures have been taken to cut the number of MPs entering the House of Commons chamber, after Westminster was labelled a coronavirus hotspot.

Both Conservative and Labour whips told their MPs only to to appear at prime minister’s questions if their names were among the 15 mentioned on parliament’s order paper.

Earlier, professor Neil Ferguson, a leading infectious diseases expert – and author of a paper warning of potential mass deaths in the uk – said: “There is a lot of Covid-19 in Westminster”.

In an email to Conservative MPs on Wednesday, the Tory chief whip told colleagues: “In order to ensure that we follow the advice being given to the public, it has been decided that only people on the order paper should be in the chamber for both Northern Ireland and prime minister’s questions.

“We respectfully ask you to adhere to this message.”

The Independent also understands that Labour whips sent a similar message to the party’s own MPs today, urging them only to attend proceedings in the chamber if they wish to raise a point, or appear on the order paper.

Michael Fabricant, a Conservative MP, said it now seems “Westminster is a major hotspot for Covid-19”, adding: “How long before a cabinet member goes down with it?

“Yesterday, a colleague suddenly sneezed in the House of Commons chamber before he could catch it in his hands, let alone a tissue. I’ll watch PMQs from my office!”

It comes amid growing pressure on the parliamentary authorities from senior MPs to wind down Commons business.

Labour former minister Lucy Powell said: “With central London such a hot bed for spreading the virus, we really need to quickly change how we are working in parliament and Whitehall.

“We should be practising what we are preaching. MPs, sitting cheek by jowl all day, heading back off around the country, isn’t good.”

Harriet Harman, the party’s ex-deputy leader, echoed her concerns, adding: “Setting bad example. Need streamlined online accountability.

“Not packed back benches and bustling tea room.”

And senior SNP MP Pete Wishart said: “Today over 300 MPs will congregate in a confined space in central London for PMQs in what will could be the biggest assembly of people in the city.

“Parliament is going to have to get smart in how it does its business.”

Parliament has been closed to visitors, with access to some of the estate’s bars and restaurants reduced to prevent the spread of the virus.

However, ministers are understood to be keen to keep parliament open in some form to allow for the passage of emergency legislation if necessary.

Alok Sharma, the business secretary, said parliament may have to change the way it operates as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

“I think it is very important that parliament continues to operate. The government of course will continue to operate,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“The way that we interact in parliament of course may change. Parliament has been closed to outside visitors and we need to make sure that we follow the advice that we are giving to others.

“You need to be able to ensure that where people are able to work from home, they do that. I have colleagues in my department who are doing that and we are doing work over the phone through video.”