Sir Lindsay Hoyle berated Justice Minister Sir Nicholas Dakin over changes to prison recall measures, which were announced in a press conference rather than to MPs
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle lost his rag with ministers for revealing details of their plans in a fiery Commons clash.
He berated Justice Minister Sir Nicholas Dakin over changes to prison recall measures, which were announced in a press conference on Wednesday. He told him to “try apologising” to MPs after the major change was unveiled outside of Parliament, rather than to the Commons.
It marks the second time this month that Commons Speaker has warned ministers that MPs should be informed first. Trade minister Douglas Alexander received a telling-off last week after he suggested a statement on the UK-US trade deal should be delayed, despite one being scheduled.
After granting an urgent question on the prison reforms, Sir Lindsay said: “I’m surprised that the Government did not think that members will want an opportunity to question ministers on a very important issue. On Monday, the Home Secretary was unapologetic about the fact that details of the immigration White Paper were given to the media, which started Sunday morning, before it was laid before this House, and long before she came to make her statement.
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“I note that those who now occupy senior ministerial roles were not slow to complain when the previous government made major policy announcements outside this place. I will continue to uphold and defend the rights of this House, the right of backbenchers to be here and hear it first.”
Sir Lindsay said he would write to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee to warn them the rules are being disregarded. He said: “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, I will continue to defend 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 we represent.”
The Justice Minister replied: “I hear very clearly your words, and I very much respect the role of Parliament and I’m pleased to be here today to follow up the written ministerial statement that was laid yesterday by the Lord Chancellor.”
But Sir Lindsay retorted: “You wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t have granted the urgent question. That’s the thing we should remember, you wouldn’t be here at all. It’s only because I have decided you should be here, so please let’s not try and take advantage of a situation that’s your own making.”
Sir Nicholas then said: “Certainly apologise Mr Speaker, I wasn’t trying to take advantage. And clearly it did mean the action of (Tory Robert Jenrick) opposite as well to lay an urgent question, and that’s how Parliament works, and rightly so.”
Sir Lindsay said: “No, it’s not the way we should be acting. The way we should be acting is that the statement should have been brought here on the day that it was announced.
“Let’s get this very, very clear, this is not about having to grant an urgent question, this is about the Government doing the right thing, rather than somebody else having to drag the ministers here.”
Sir Nicholas said: “I’m sorry for any misinformation that I’ve given in trying to begin this urgent question.”
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