Lindsay Hoyle under pressure over Gaza vote as No 10 brands MP threats ‘attack on democracy’ - live
More than 70 MPs sign no-confidence motion in Commons speaker as PM expresses concerns
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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.
‘A race to the bottom for politics’: British Muslim and Palestinian groups criticise Commons chaos
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
‘Farcical’ scenes condemned as parliament fails to vote for ceasefire while Gaza death toll rises
The threats to MPs that Sir Lindsay Hoyle fears
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?
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
Analysis: Does Britain still have a credible nuclear deterrent?
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?
Misfiring missiles, a creaking Trident system that could cost £41bn to upgrade, and all this against a highly volatile global backdrop. Sean O’Grady tries to find reassurance among the troubling facts
Exactly why did MPs walk out in protest at speaker?
Gaza vote: Why did MPs walk out in protest at speaker Lindsay Hoyle?
What was meant to be a discussion about the UK’s policy on the Hamas-Israel conflict spiralled into heated exchanges on the Speaker’s actions
Analysis: Hoyle’s choice was disgraceful
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
Lindsay Hoyle must know that he cannot afford to alienate the party that is likely to form a government by the end of the year, writes John Rentoul. That may be disgraceful – but it is politics
Anger as Northern Ireland excluded from Post Office law
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
Post Office victims wronged in Horizon scandal to have names cleared by new law
Details on the new legislation came on the same day the Post Office minister said compensation would also be given to victims of an earlier software scandal
Editorial: Now the war in Gaza is poisoning British politics
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
Editorial: A rancorous Commons debate about ending conflict in the region showed parliament’s adversarial procedures to be unsuited to easing such tensions. MPs would do well to remember the scale of the human suffering – and the importance of a permanent peace
Backers of no-confidence motion rise to 67
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’
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