Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Commons Speaker exclaimed “What a day!” After a tense Prime Minister’s Question, he said, “Wow!” as he left the scene of Partygate-related fallout.
Sir Lindsay had to intervene repeatedly in the chamber today, as the excitement and emotions rose over the shock departure of Tory MP Christian Wakeford from Tory to Labour.
He used the opportunity to shout abuse and advice across the room, and he was eventually forced to stop Sir Keir Starmer, a labour leader who had been using the Queen to attack the Prime Minister.
Labour leader David Lammy attempted to draw a parallel between the actions of Mr Johnson and the monarch’s behavior at the funeral of Duke of Edinburgh.
However, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who insisted that discussions on the royal family are not for MPs to enter into, stopped Prime Minister David Cameron from answering the questions.
Later he also cut in as SNP MP Peter Grant quoted a constituent calling the Prime Minister a liar.
Sir Lindsay was forced to repeatedly intervene in the chamber today as excitement and emotions boiled over following the shock defection of Tory MP Christian Wakeford to Labour.
He rose several times to silence MPs shouting advice and abuse across the floor – and was forced to shut down labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for using the Queen as a way of attacking the Prime Minister.
The Labour leader attempted to compare the behaviour of the monarch sitting alone at the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh to Mr Johnson’s actions linked to Downing Street party allegations.
Peter Grant later cited a constituent who called the Prime Minister a fool and he cut in.
Erskine May – which outlines parliamentary procedure – states: ‘No question can be put which brings the name of the sovereign or the influence of the Crown directly before Parliament, or which casts reflections upon the sovereign or the royal family.’
Questions about costs for the public to fund royal events and palaces are welcome.
Sir Keir said that “Last Year Her Majesty The Queen sat alone as she celebrated the passing of the husband she had been with for 73 Years. She followed all the rules in the country she leads.”
“On the day of the funeral, staff members gathered booze in a bag and drove it into Downing Street. A DJ was playing and they partied well into the early hours.
“The Prime Minister was forced to apologize to Her Majesty, the Queen.
“Is he not ashamed that he did not hand over his resignation simultaneously?”
Speaking in his place, Sir Lindsay said, “We would normally not, quite rightly,” mention the royals. Talking about the royal family doesn’t interest us.
Johnson said: “Well, in that case Mr Speaker, it is necessary to ask Sir Keir (to withdraw) the motion.”
Sir Lindsay stated that he was familiar with the situation before Johnson got up and tried again.
However, Chancellor Rishi Sonak pulled Johnson back from his seat and tugged on the jacket of Prime Minister.
Glenrothes MP Mr Grant told stories about constituents who couldn’t comfort or communicate with the family of someone they loved. He also shared tales from those who lost loved ones and were left to grieve for their own loved ones.
He stated that the Prime Minister was a charlatan and hypocrite, and a liar in his own words. He said: ‘In their words, not mine, the Prime Minister is a charlatan. A hypocrite and a liar.
Sir Lindsay interjected and declared: “I understand that you’re repeating the words of your constituents.” I prefer more moderate and calm language.
He suggested that the Prime Minister may want to address the overall question, and not just the ending.
Boris Johnson stated that: “I can understand what he is feeling, as I explained last week. And I empathise with these feelings. It’s understandable why people feel this way.
‘I would like to express my gratitude for the many things they did. People have made a great deal of sacrifices. My apologies for any mistakes made in Number 10. He may wait until the investigation is over before he apologizes.