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
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox
Get our free View from Westminster email
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.
'Growing number of Tory MPs back immediate ceasefire’
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
Starmer forced to deny threatening speaker Hoyle as Sunak piles on the pressure
More than 60 MPs sign no-confidence motion in Hoyle as he says he acted amid fears over ‘frightening’ threats
Watchdog investigates Tory MP accused of misusing taxpayers’ money
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
The pensions minister allegedly used his taxpayer-funded constituency office as a Tory campaign headquarters
Top Tory defends speaker, citing his obsession with MPs’ safety
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
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
What actually happened in the House of Commons on Wednesday? And what’s likely to come next? The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul is here to answer all your questions
Speaker clings to role as Starmer forced to deny threats
Speaker clings to role as as Keir Starmer forced to deny threats
60 MPs sign no-confidence motion in Hoyle as he says he acted amid fears over ‘frightening’ threats to MPs
Sunak warns against 'slippery slope of changing how Parliament works’
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’
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
Tell us if speaker Lindsay Hoyle should resign over Gaza ceasefire vote chaos
We want to know what you make of last night’s uproar in the House of Commons
Sunak says speaker’s actions ‘very concerning'
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”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies