Deputy Speaker warns MPs regarding the media being briefed following calls for the Chancellor to resign

The Deputy Madame Speaker, Dame Eleanor Laing said before the start of the Budget that she is concerned that the government has briefed the media over the Autumn Budget before addressing MPs.

Dame Eleanor told the House of Commons that she “very much hopes” this does not happen again.

The Deputy Speaker added, “It is important policy announcements should be made first to Parliament.”

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak stood at the despatch box and said to Dame Eleanor that he has “listened very carefully” to what she said, before starting his Budget speech.

Deputy Speaker warns MPs regarding the media being briefed following calls for the Chancellor to resign

The Deputy Madame Speaker, Dame Eleanor Laing said before the start of the Budget that she is concerned that the government has briefed the media over the Autumn Budget before addressing MPs.

Dame Eleanor told the House of Commons that she “very much hopes” this does not happen again.

The Deputy Speaker added, “It is important policy announcements should be made first to Parliament.”

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak stood at the despatch box and said to Dame Eleanor that he has “listened very carefully” to what she said, before starting his Budget speech.

On Tuesday the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lyndsay Hoyle demanded that the Chancellor shold resign after he gave a series of pre-Budget briefings to the media.

Sir Lyndsay was furious as the government has been leaking finance policies to the media instead to making formal announcements in Parliament.

Sir Lindsay accused government Ministers of trying to “run roughshod” over Parliament and warned that previous Minister “walked” if they gave a brief to the press.

Sir Lindsay said in a statement to MPs, “At one time ministers did the right thing if they briefed before a Budget, they walked.”