An investigation has been launched by the parliamentary authorities over allegations that one MP was “physically manhandled” and other MPs were bullied by senior Tories during a fracking vote in the House of Commons last night.
The Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle has ordered the Serjeant at Arms who is in charge of keeping order in the Commons to investigate the serious allegations.
It has been alleged that the Health Secretary Therese Coffey and Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg are amongst the group of senior Tories who bullied MPs to vote against Labour’s motion on fracking.
Opposition MPs claim that one Tory MP was “physically manhandled” into the “No” lobby to make sure he voted against fracking.
However, Rees-Mogg claims there is no evidence that this happened and there was simply a “normal” discussion amongst MPs, Coffey also said this is not true.
Sir Lindsay told MPs on Thursday, “I wish to say something about the reports of behaviour in the division lobbies last night.
“I have asked the Serjeant at Arms and other senior officials to investigate the incident and report back to me. I will then update the House.
“I remind Members that the behaviour code applies to them as well as to other members of our parliamentary community, and this gives me another opportunity to talk about the kind of House I want to see and I believe that the vast majority of MPs also want to see.
“I want this to be a House in which we, while we might have very strong political disagreements, treat each other courteously and with respect, and we should show the same courtesy and respect to those who work with and for us.
“To that end I will be meeting with senior party representatives to seek an agreed position that behaviour like that described last night is not acceptable in all circumstances.”
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