Speaker kicks Tory MP out of Commons during PMQs: ‘I’ve warned you before’

Anger in Commons over yelling from government benches

An irate Lindsay Hoyle kicked a Tory MP out of the House of Commons during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, telling him: “I’m not having it.”

The Commons speaker – apparently angered by yelling from the government benches – told Peterborough MP Paul Bristow to leave the chamber just four minutes into proceedings.

Mr Hoyle had already had to pause proceedings twice in the first three minutes of PMQs to ask MPs to stop shouting during the exchange between prime minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer.

“Order, order. Mr Bristow, I think you’re going to be leaving. I’m asking you to leave now, because otherwise I’ll name you.

“I’m not having it, and I’ve warned you before. It’s the same people,” he said.

Turning to the opposition benches he said: “And the same will happen on this side”.

The threat to “name” the MP is parliamentary language for formally disciplining a politician – possibly resulting in their suspension.

Mr Bristow left the chamber to cheers and shouts of “bye” from those on the opposition benches.

Sir Lindsay’s spokesperson later said: “Following a noisy start to PMQs, the Speaker asked Paul Bristow to leave the chamber, saying he would name him if not. Mr Bristow left voluntarily and so no formal powers were exercised by the Speaker.”

Mr Bristow worked as a lobbyist before becoming an MP in 2019 and now sits on the Commons health select committee.

He later told reporters: “I got a little over-excited.”

The Commons speaker has previously criticised MPs for shouting during debates and says it reflects poorly on parliamentary proceedings and is unpopular with the public.

Earlier this month he turned his ire on trade secretary Kemi Badenoch, asking her: “Do you think you’re speaking to?” after she gave an apparently dismissive response to his concerns about the government’s approach to dealing with parliament.