MICHAEL Gove today came out to back under-fire Sir Lindsay Hoyle, insisting MPs should “respect the ref”.
The Housing Secretary told The Sun that accusations of bias against the Commons Speaker isn’t the “real issue”.
AlamyMichael Gove today backed Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle amid controversy over yesterday’s Gaza ceasefire debate[/caption]
Instead, politicians should turn their rage towards extremist thugs threatening democracy.
Mr Gove said: “I don’t think this issue is really about the Speaker.
“If you’re a government minister like me, you’ve got to respect the ref – even if you disagree with his decisions.
“I like Lindsay.”
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The Speaker today confessed to being “guilty” of botching yesterday’s debate on Gaza – but insisted it was all in a daring effort to protect MPs.
Sir Lindsay is facing growing calls to resign amid accusations he bent the rules to spare Sir Keir Starmer a backbench revolt over Gaza.
Some 59 MPs have now signed a no confidence motion telling the Speaker to quit.
Downing Street repeatedly refused to say whether Rishi Sunak has confidence in him today, while the SNP has called for a vote of no confidence in him.
Mr Gove told The Sun: “We have a situation where MPs are being told that they have to vote a particular way, or they’re going to face pressure from extremist groups.
“The issue is being able to say to extremists outside the House of Commons: get back.
“You are not going to force elected representatives to vote in a particular way because of your tactics, and because of your commitment to extremist causes.”
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