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It was just after 7pm last night when a shaken and emotional Sir Lindsay Hoyle returned to the Speaker’s chair and apologized for the disruption to the Gaza ceasefire debate.
Lord Lindsay had been absent for the previous hour, during which time one of his deputies, Dame Rosie Winterton, was presiding over fierce demands by SNP and Tory MPs for his return.
They were angry at Labour’s decision to allow the ceasefire amendment to be tabled, contrary to parliamentary practice.
Dozens of lawmakers walked out and there were attempts to close the chamber to the public, something not seen since December 2001.
Lord Lindsay’s decision to accept the Labor amendment that saved Sir Keir Starmer from a major revolt has infuriated the other parties, as the supposedly resolutely impartial Lord Lindsay did.
He was elected five years ago with overwhelming support from both sides of the House of Commons, including many Conservative MPs who now have doubts about his confidence.
The unseemly nature of the process will result in little change on the ground in Israel and Gaza. The fact that Labor’s amendment calling for an “all-side” ceasefire was finally passed does not mean the fighting will stop.
But that makes Lord Lindsay’s position as chairman precarious. His apology was welcomed by House of Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, who will work with leaders and party leaders from all parties to try to resolve the situation in the coming days.
However, Conservative and SNP MPs remain dissatisfied and there are moves to vote a no-confidence vote against the Speaker.