Gaza ceasefire vote: SNP says Speaker’s position is ‘intolerable’ amid chaotic scenes

The House of Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle apologised to MPs this evening for his handling of the Gaza ceasefire vote.

Sir Lindsay broke with convention by accepting both Labour and government amendments to the SNP’s Gaza ceasefire motion. The convention has been that if the government tabled an amendment to an opposition day motion, amendments from other parties would not be accepted.

In a statement to the House of Commons, the speaker said: “I wanted to do the best by every member of the House”

“I regret how it’s ended up. It was not my intention. I wanted all to ensure they could express their views. As it was, in particularly the SNP, were unable to vote on their own proposition.

“It is with my sadness that it ended in this position. It was never my intention. I recognise the strength of feeling of this house and its members. I will reflect on my part in that. I do not want it to have ended like this.”

Responding to the statement, Stephen Flynn acknowledged the speaker’s apology but added that he was warned that his decision would lead to the SNP not having a vote.

“I am afraid that is treating myself and my colleagues in the SNP with complete and utter contempt.”

He closed: “I will take significant convincing that your position is not now intolerable.”

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