MPs push for investigation into claims Commons Speaker was pressured by Keir Starmer during chaotic Gaza vote

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MPs have launched a contemporary bid for an investigation into Sir Keir Starmer‘s handling of last month’s Gaza ceasefire vote, which led to chaotic scenes within the Commons.

A parliamentary movement signed by greater than 50 MPs is asking for the privileges committee to research “whether undue pressure” was placed on the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

It has been signed by a number of senior Tories as well as the Westminster leaders of two parties – the SNP and Plaid.

The Labour leader has previously denied that he “threatened the Speaker in any method” over the contentious vote.

There have been indignant scenes at Westminster after Sir Lindsay was accused of ripping up the parliamentary rule guide to pick out a Labour modification on the battle within the Middle East.

Had the Speaker not acted Sir Keir might have confronted a doubtlessly damanging rebel, as quite a few members of his frontbench broke ranks to again a ceasfire. In the wake of the row, the Speaker was accused of breaking Commons guidelines to profit Labour and dozens of MPs signed a petition calling for a vote of no confidence in his management.

He later apologised saying he had made a mistake.

But he mentioned he had been performing with good intentions, after threats have been made to the protection of MPs.

The movement, submitted by senior Conservative MP William Wragg, says: “This House notes the Speaker’s decision on selection and calling of amendments on 21 February 2024 was not in accordance with the established precedent for Opposition days”.

“And accordingly considers that… the matter of whether undue pressure was placed on Mr Speaker in relation to the decision on selection and calling of amendments on 21 February, should be referred to the Committee of Privileges.”

Sir Lindsay can be beneath strain after he did not name Diane Abbott, the previous Labour MP who now sits as an unbiased, during a dialogue of alleged racist remarks made about her by a Labour donor.