‘Not acceptable!’: Commons speaker suggests Labour ‘disregarding’ ministerial code

The speaker of the House of Commons has reprimanded the government over recent media briefing, referencing his duty to “uphold and defend the rights” of MPs.

Speaking ahead of an urgent question on the government’s plans to relieve pressure on the prison system, Sir Lindsay Hoyle insisted that major announcements should be delivered before the House first.

The justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, unveiled the new measures in a press conference on Wednesday. Sir Lindsay also referenced the manner in which ministers unveiled the details of the immigration white paper which, the speaker said, “were given to the media… before it was laid before this House.”

The speaker went on to suggest that ministers could be acting in contravention of the ministerial code, and announced he would instruct an influential cross-party group of MPs to consider the situation.

In a statement, he told MPs: “It is clear to me that the general principles set out in paragraph 9.1 of the ministerial code is being disregarded more often than it is observed.

“I will be writing to the chair of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee [PACAC] to invite that committee to consider the issues in more details.”

Sir Lindsay added: “Because if the government is not going to take the ministerial policies seriously, who will?

“So I’ve got to say, I don’t like doing this – I believe I am here to represent all backbenchers, and backbenchers have the right to question ministers first.

“I’m not interested in Sky News or the BBC or political programmes, I’m here to defend all of you…

“Please do not take [MPs] for granted – it is not acceptable! I know it’s not the minister’s fault, but the message has got to go back loud and clear, and when you’re in the wrong try apologising to the members.”

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