Debate and Speaker's statement on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, in the House of Commons, led by Kemi Badenoch. The answering members were Alex Burghart and Darren Jones.

Referral of Prime Minister to Committee of Privileges

Speaker's statement on the conduct and procedure of the Privilege motion debate. Motion that this House: (1) notes the Rt hon Member for Holborn and St Pancras's assurances on the floor of the House about "full due process" being followed in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States of America, in particular (but not limited to) answers given on 10 September 2025, 4 February and 22 April 2026, further notes his assertion on 20 April 2026 that he "had made it clear that my position was that the position was subject to developed vetting" and his assertions that "Sir Olly Robbins was absolutely clear that nobody put pressure on him to make this appointment" and that "No pressure existed whatsoever in relation to this case" on 22 April 2026; and (2) accordingly orders that these matters be referred to the Committee of Privileges to consider whether, in making these and other related statements, the Rt hon Member may have misled the House, and whether such conduct amounts to a contempt of the House, bearing in mind the standards expected of Ministers as set out in the House's own resolution on Ministerial Accountability and the Ministerial Code. Negatived on division (223 to 335).

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 784 cc743-838
Session: 2024-26
Department: Cabinet Office
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Engagements
Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons; Engagements
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons; Security Vetting
Monday, 20 April 2026
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons; Engagements
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons; Engagements
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons; Engagements
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons; Engagements
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons; Engagements
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Oral answers to questions
House of Commons
Proceeding contributions: Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c743 (Link to this contribution)
Before we begin the next item of business, I think it would be helpful to the House if I reminded...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 cc743-4 (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move,
That this House
(1) notes the Rt hon Member for Holborn and St Pancras...; Clive Efford | 784 c744 (Link to this contribution)
On 4 February, this House unanimously passed a motion on a Humble Address. It was the opinion of ...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 cc744-5 (Link to this contribution)
That is an excellent question. We asked for the release of documents, and then when the evidence ...; Graham Stuart | 784 c745 (Link to this contribution)
I think my right hon. Friend is being a little too harsh on the limited number of Labour MPs pres...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c745 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my right hon. Friend for that intervention, and I will do my best to be kind. He is right...; Gavin Robinson | 784 c745 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Sam Rushworth | 784 c745 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c745 (Link to this contribution)
Oh, we have a second one. I am going to take the intervention from the right hon. Member for Belf...; Gavin Robinson | 784 c745 (Link to this contribution)
The Leader of the Opposition is right to highlight the cross-party nature of this motion, and to ...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c745 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman makes an excellent point. I completely agree with him, and in fact, I wi...; Sam Rushworth | 784 c745 (Link to this contribution)
A moment ago, the Leader of the Opposition talked about selective quoting. I am sure that she wou...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c745 (Link to this contribution)
It is quite important, and if that was the distinction, why did the Prime Minister not say so las...; Alicia Kearns | 784 c746 (Link to this contribution)
Are we really suggesting in this debate, in this Chamber, that anyone who does not pass vetting f...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c746 (Link to this contribution)
It is extraordinary, and the evidence that we have heard from the Foreign Affairs Committee this ...; 784 c746 (Link to this contribution); Kemi Badenoch | 784 c746 (Link to this contribution)
I am going to make some progress. I say gently to Labour MPs—and kindly, as I have been asked to—...; Ayoub Khan | 784 c746 (Link to this contribution)
The British public are already fed up with politicians—we see that from the low turnout at genera...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c747 (Link to this contribution)
I agree that this is a matter of trust with the public. We have to show that we do things properl...; Anna Turley | 784 c747 (Link to this contribution)
The Cabinet Secretary said that it was due process.; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c747 (Link to this contribution)
We have another Minister coming to the Dispatch Box to say something quite different. Simon Case,...; Jim Shannon | 784 c747 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for securing and introducing this motion. Does she agree tha...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c747 (Link to this contribution)
Order. You are straying outside the debate, Mr Shannon, and we must not do that.; Kemi Badenoch | 784 cc747-8 (Link to this contribution)
I am concerned about the Prime Minister’s judgment on all manner of issues, not just the one we a...; Justin Madders | 784 c748 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c748 (Link to this contribution)
Labour Members should not worry. I will give way because I want them to have every opportunity to...; Justin Madders | 784 c748 (Link to this contribution)
I will ask the questions of the Leader of the Opposition, as that is how interventions work. Can ...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c748 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The decision was made on the letter that was sent to me, not on whether somebody may be me...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c748 (Link to this contribution)
I think the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough (Justin Madders) would like his minist...; Ed Davey | 784 c749 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Lady will know that I was never a fan of Boris Johnson. Can she confirm that, when...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c749 (Link to this contribution)
That is an excellent question, and I can confirm that our side was not whipped. I can also confir...; Esther McVey | 784 c749 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Prime Minister is pursuing a scorched-earth policy? Advi...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c749 (Link to this contribution)
I agree with my right hon. Friend that this is a scorched-earth policy: Labour MPs are the earth,...; Bridget Phillipson | 784 c749 (Link to this contribution)
indicated dissent.; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c749 (Link to this contribution)
No, she does not want to—shame! We got our U-turn. Labour Members have to sit there looking embar...; Scott Arthur | 784 c749 (Link to this contribution)
Of course, the Leader of the Opposition is right that the Conservatives had a free vote on the pa...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c749 (Link to this contribution)
Order.; Scott Arthur | 784 c749 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Mr Speaker. The bigger disgrace is that she voted against taking action on Owen Paters...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c750 (Link to this contribution)
I actually feel bad at having to give this explanation. [Interruption.] I say to my right hon. Fr...; Scott Arthur | 784 c750 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c750 (Link to this contribution)
Sit down. No, I will not give way; he has had his chance.; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c750 (Link to this contribution)
Order. If the right hon. Lady gives way, that is fine. You have had one crack at the whip, Dr Art...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c750 (Link to this contribution)
I know that a lot of Labour MPs have not been in this situation before. They are being stitched u...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c750 (Link to this contribution)
Order. This is about the privileges motion. I know that you are developing a theme, but I think w...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c750 (Link to this contribution)
You are absolutely right, Mr Speaker. I am just asking why this is a whipped vote, when it will s...; Luke Evans | 784 c750 (Link to this contribution)
When the Prime Minister came in, he said that he wanted to do things differently. He has had not ...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c751 (Link to this contribution)
That is an excellent question from my hon. Friend. Why has the Prime Minister not come to the Hou...; Simon Hoare | 784 c751 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that this issue will be resolved in one or two places? It will ei...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 cc751-2 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I trust the Privileges Committee to do the right thing, as I ...; Rachel Blake | 784 c752 (Link to this contribution)
On the point of reading out statements, I see that the right hon. Lady is enjoying reading out he...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c752 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I am sorry; you are out of scope.; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c752 (Link to this contribution)
Perhaps the hon. Lady should have just taken the Whips’ questions instead of messing that one up....; Sam Rushworth | 784 c752 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker.; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c752 (Link to this contribution)
Are you sure it is a point of order?; Sam Rushworth | 784 c752 (Link to this contribution)
I believe so, Mr Speaker.; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c752 (Link to this contribution)
Let’s hear it.; Sam Rushworth | 784 c752 (Link to this contribution)
A moment ago, the Leader of the Opposition described the statement read out by the Prime Minister...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c753 (Link to this contribution)
As I suspected, it is not a point of order. You need to read the rule book. This is a substantive...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 cc753-4 (Link to this contribution)
Time and again throughout this debate, I have seen Labour MPs stand up and show that they do not ...; Emma Lewell | 784 cc754-5 (Link to this contribution)
I have watched this whole sorry saga play out for weeks now. Like the public, I feel let down, di...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c755 (Link to this contribution)
I call Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats.
1.28 pm; Ed Davey | 784 cc755-6 (Link to this contribution)
It is an honour to follow the hon. Member for South Shields (Emma Lewell), who made a very powerf...; Tulip Siddiq | 784 c756 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Member has mentioned Boris Johnson a few times, so I just wanted to remind the Hou...; Ed Davey | 784 cc756-7 (Link to this contribution)
Mr Speaker, I can see from your restlessness in the Chair that you do not necessarily want me to ...; Gurinder Singh Josan | 784 c757 (Link to this contribution)
Last week in the emergency debate I spoke about the appointment of Peter Mandelson, the approach ...; Kieran Mullan | 784 c757 (Link to this contribution)
I refer the hon. Member to the words of Mr Speaker earlier. It is the Speaker who decides whether...; Gurinder Singh Josan | 784 c758 (Link to this contribution)
My point is about our consideration of the motion. The fact that Mr Speaker made the decision mea...; Graham Stuart | 784 c758 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is giving a powerful speech. He says that all allegations should be investigat...; Gurinder Singh Josan | 784 c758 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman should understand that we are here today only because of things that hav...; Ayoub Khan | 784 c758 (Link to this contribution)
Whatever the merits of the motion, does the hon. Member accept that the party whip should not be ...; Gurinder Singh Josan | 784 cc758-9 (Link to this contribution)
I am a humble Back Bencher, and I would not disagree with my Chief Whip in respect of his decisio...; David Davis | 784 cc759-760 (Link to this contribution)
Sometimes the wisdom of the House is crystallised in the comments of us ordinary Back Benchers. T...; Alec Shelbrooke | 784 c760 (Link to this contribution)
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the previous ambassador, Dame Karen Pierce, was widely—indee...; David Davis | 784 c760 (Link to this contribution)
That is entirely true, and in fact, the current Trump Administration made the same point to the G...; Mark Francois | 784 c761 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend is making an excellent speech, but is it not true that the post of UK ambass...; David Davis | 784 cc761-3 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend is exactly right. Indeed, it is worse than that, because this post is the ne...; Scott Arthur | 784 c763 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; David Davis | 784 c763 (Link to this contribution)
In a debate about misleading the House, it makes me wonder when Members of this House accuse othe...; Karl Turner | 784 cc763-4 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Goole and Pocklington (David Davis). He and ...; Alicia Kearns | 784 c764 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is right that there are some precedents for House business being whipped, but ...; Karl Turner | 784 c764 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to the hon. Lady, who is spot on. She leads me to the point raised by the Leader of...; Andy McDonald | 784 c764 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister has set out a detailed chronology. He has made it abundantly clear that he has...; Karl Turner | 784 cc764-5 (Link to this contribution)
I was about to say that my hon. Friend is a good man—he used to be my boss in the shadow Transpor...; John McDonnell | 784 c765 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend mentioned my recommendation that the Prime Minister should refer himself. I did th...; Karl Turner | 784 c765 (Link to this contribution)
I completely agree with my right hon. Friend. I think I said on Twitter that he rarely gets thing...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c765 (Link to this contribution)
I call the Father of the House.
2.7 pm; Edward Leigh | 784 cc765-7 (Link to this contribution)
I want to speak only briefly. I am not particularly party political. I do not like making persona...; Nadia Whittome | 784 cc767-8 (Link to this contribution)
First, it is important that in all of this we are centring Epstein’s victims, who have so often b...; Simon Hoare | 784 c768 (Link to this contribution)
There has been a common theme in the remarks made by the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull East ...; Alec Shelbrooke | 784 c769 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend and I could never have been described as the greatest fans of Boris Johnson. When ...; Simon Hoare | 784 c769 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend has many skills; one that I have just learned of is that he is able to read ...; Alec Shelbrooke | 784 c769 (Link to this contribution)
Keep it clean.; Simon Hoare | 784 cc769-770 (Link to this contribution)
Don’t worry, Madam Deputy Speaker; I have checked what is parliamentary language and what is not....; Caroline Johnson | 784 c770 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is, as usual, making an excellent speech. He is talking about the composition of t...; Simon Hoare | 784 c770 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is right. The same was true, of course, when the Privileges Committee looked at Bo...; Alec Shelbrooke | 784 c770 (Link to this contribution)
Will my hon. Friend give way?; Simon Hoare | 784 cc770-1 (Link to this contribution)
Would my right hon. Friend forgive me if I do not? A lot of Members want to speak, so I want to m...; Tim Roca | 784 c771 (Link to this contribution)
The appointment of Mandelson was a profoundly flawed process; it was also a profoundly flawed cho...; Luke Evans | 784 c771 (Link to this contribution)
If it is not party political, why is it being whipped?; Tim Roca | 784 c772 (Link to this contribution)
Because it is so evident that what the hon. Member is participating in this afternoon is partly p...; Graham Stuart | 784 c772 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; Tim Roca | 784 c772 (Link to this contribution)
No, I am going to make some progress.
At most, what we are dealing with is an argument abou...; Peter Fortune | 784 c772 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; Tim Roca | 784 c772 (Link to this contribution)
I will finish this point; I might then give way if I am feeling generous.
That conduct was ...; Nusrat Ghani | 784 c772 (Link to this contribution)
Let us keep the temperament good.
2.35 pm; Stephen Flynn | 784 cc772-3 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Tim Roca), who has done no harm what...; Peter Fortune | 784 c773 (Link to this contribution)
Referring to the whiff that the public may pick up, does the right hon. Gentleman think that the ...; Stephen Flynn | 784 c774 (Link to this contribution)
It is hard at this stage to come to any other conclusion. If Labour Members had confidence in the...; Sam Rushworth | 784 cc774-5 (Link to this contribution)
As others have said, it is important that when we speak in this place we reflect the feelings of ...; Graham Stuart | 784 c775 (Link to this contribution)
What does the hon. Gentleman say to his colleagues, the hon. Members for South Shields (Emma Lewe...; Sam Rushworth | 784 c775 (Link to this contribution)
The Whips have not told me very much, but I will address the right hon. Gentleman’s question as I...; Peter Fortune | 784 c775 (Link to this contribution)
I just want to make sure that I can follow the hon. Gentleman’s logical structure. When he said t...; Sam Rushworth | 784 cc775-6 (Link to this contribution)
I will address that point in just a moment.
First, let us address the point about process. ...; Harriet Cross | 784 c776 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Sam Rushworth | 784 c776 (Link to this contribution)
I will in a moment. I want to address my colleague’s question about pressure.
Clearly there...; Harriet Cross | 784 c776 (Link to this contribution)
Is the hon. Member therefore suggesting that the previous ambassador was not capable?; Sam Rushworth | 784 c776 (Link to this contribution)
I am happy to answer that point—[Interruption.] If Opposition Members stop chuntering, they will ...; Peter Fortune | 784 c776 (Link to this contribution)
I am genuinely listening to the hon. Member’s logical process as he ratiocinates through it. I hu...; Sam Rushworth | 784 c776 (Link to this contribution)
We have seen no evidence and, indeed, Sir Olly Robbins made it quite clear that he did not feel p...; Ellie Chowns | 784 c777 (Link to this contribution)
Having recognised that, as Sir Philip Barton said this morning, there cannot be any doubt that th...; Nusrat Ghani | 784 c777 (Link to this contribution)
Message received—I call Sam Rushworth.; Sam Rushworth | 784 c777 (Link to this contribution)
I simply disagree. Pressure to get things done is part and parcel of what we do in government all...; Julian Lewis | 784 c777 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Ellie Chowns | 784 c777 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Sam Rushworth | 784 cc777-8 (Link to this contribution)
I will not take any more interventions, because Madam Deputy Speaker is looking at her watch. The...; Alicia Kearns | 784 c778 (Link to this contribution)
The motion does not attribute wrongdoing. It represents a simple choice and a decision: do we as ...; Sam Rushworth | 784 c778 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; Alicia Kearns | 784 c778 (Link to this contribution)
Let me finish this point and then I will happily take an intervention.
We have specific law...; Sam Rushworth | 784 c778 (Link to this contribution)
I think the hon. Member knows that I have great affection for her, so I am disappointed in the wa...; Alicia Kearns | 784 cc779-780 (Link to this contribution)
I am sorry but the idea that somebody just chasing an update—“Can I just check where we are with ...; Caroline Nokes | 784 c780 (Link to this contribution)
Again.; Alicia Kearns | 784 c780 (Link to this contribution)
Oh my goodness! I can only apologise again for saying “you”, Madam Deputy Speaker.
There is...; Caroline Nokes | 784 c780 (Link to this contribution)
Order. May I remind the hon. Lady that much of her speech has been addressed to me, but I am not ...; Alicia Kearns | 784 c780 (Link to this contribution)
I fully accept that. I know better and I apologise, Madam Deputy Speaker.; Imran Hussain | 784 c780 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady’s speech is based on wisdom, reflecting on her personal experience in previous vote...; Alicia Kearns | 784 c781 (Link to this contribution)
Absolutely. Some Members have suggested that their constituents do not really care about process ...; Imran Hussain | 784 c781 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady comes to the crux of the debate: was due process followed? The simple fact is that ...; Alicia Kearns | 784 c781 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is completely right. We were told repeatedly and consistently that due process...; Brian Leishman | 784 cc781-3 (Link to this contribution)
From the outset, I wish to state my support for the delivery of justice for all the people who we...; Roger Gale | 784 c783 (Link to this contribution)
At the start of the debate, when Mr Speaker was in the Chair, he reminded the House that this was...; Alec Shelbrooke | 784 c783 (Link to this contribution)
Or both.; Roger Gale | 784 cc783-4 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend reminds me that he said, incorrectly, that the vote on the call for Johnson ...; Chris Kane | 784 cc784-5 (Link to this contribution)
A referral to the Privileges Committee, particularly involving a Prime Minister, should be rare. ...; Scott Arthur | 784 c785 (Link to this contribution)
Does my hon. Friend agree that it appears the SNP does not have a ship right now? It must have—; Caroline Nokes | 784 c785 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I think hon. Members will find that this debate is not about the SNP. Perhaps we all ought...; Chris Kane | 784 c785 (Link to this contribution)
To finish my metaphor—not about the SNP—we must hold steady, make the adjustments needed and focu...; Ann Davies | 784 c786 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister has called this motion a “stunt” and “pure politics”, but he and the Labour MP...; Alex Barros-Curtis | 784 c786 (Link to this contribution)
I rise in this debate first and foremost to reiterate, as other colleagues have done, my fullest ...; Ayoub Khan | 784 c786 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Alex Barros-Curtis | 784 c786 (Link to this contribution)
Before I explain why I am making that case and that decision, I will happily give way.; Ayoub Khan | 784 c786 (Link to this contribution)
Of course, every Member is entitled to make their decision, and to vote in either Lobby, but they...; Alex Barros-Curtis | 784 c787 (Link to this contribution)
That is an irrelevant point. I have already said that regardless of the position of the party, I ...; Graham Stuart | 784 c787 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Alex Barros-Curtis | 784 c787 (Link to this contribution)
If the right hon. Gentleman will wait to hear why I think that, I will happily give way in a mome...; Graham Stuart | 784 c787 (Link to this contribution)
indicated dissent.; Alex Barros-Curtis | 784 c787 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman can chunter some more, but maybe he should listen to what I say about th...; Graham Stuart | 784 c787 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Alex Barros-Curtis | 784 c787 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman is very eager. I will give way.; Graham Stuart | 784 c787 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is being most generous with his time, but we have not really heard the case ye...; Alex Barros-Curtis | 784 c788 (Link to this contribution)
I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman’s patronising tone, but I will simply say that I do not nee...; Sean Woodcock | 784 c788 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is making a powerful speech. Is it not the reality that this is about a Leader of ...; Alex Barros-Curtis | 784 c788 (Link to this contribution)
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. Even if his intervention was perhaps slightly askew from ...; Harriet Cross | 784 c788 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Member mentioned the Guardian story on 16 April. The Prime Minister found out about this...; Alex Barros-Curtis | 784 cc788-790 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister addressed that question when it was put to him in this House a number of times...; Charlie Dewhirst | 784 cc790-1 (Link to this contribution)
I am mindful of Mr Speaker’s advice about repetition. I will keep my remarks short and to the poi...; Graham Stuart | 784 c791 (Link to this contribution)
On the allegation that the Prime Minister may have misled this House, he has told the House that ...; Charlie Dewhirst | 784 cc791-2 (Link to this contribution)
I could not agree more with my right hon. Friend. It is absolutely astonishing that the decision ...; Johanna Baxter | 784 cc792-3 (Link to this contribution)
Before I start, let me pay tribute to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, because their views have be...; Caroline Nokes | 784 c793 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I have made the point previously, but please will Members confine themselves to debating t...; Johanna Baxter | 784 cc793-4 (Link to this contribution)
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Those are the issues we could have been debating today, bu...; Richard Tice | 784 c794 (Link to this contribution)
The motion to refer the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee revolves around two words. Pre...; Scott Arthur | 784 c794 (Link to this contribution)
Did we not hear last week, in the Foreign Affairs Committee, that while there was pressure, it ha...; Richard Tice | 784 cc794-5 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Gentleman, but let me remind him what the Prime Minister said during Prime Minis...; David Pinto-Duschinsky | 784 c795 (Link to this contribution)
Appointing Peter Mandelson was wrong, and, as with any debate on this subject, we should start by...; Ellie Chowns | 784 c795 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; David Pinto-Duschinsky | 784 cc795-6 (Link to this contribution)
No, I will make some progress.
What is more, this Government are undertaking an extensive r...; Ayoub Khan | 784 c796 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; David Pinto-Duschinsky | 784 c796 (Link to this contribution)
No.
The Conservatives are demeaning and diminishing an important parliamentary process. Our...; Caroline Nokes | 784 c796 (Link to this contribution)
Order. I am going to make this point again: we are debating privilege, not the Government’s recor...; David Pinto-Duschinsky | 784 c796 (Link to this contribution)
I will wind up.
We were elected with a mandate to deliver change, and that is exactly what ...; Joy Morrissey | 784 cc796-7 (Link to this contribution)
I echo the voices of MPs from across the House, particularly the hon. Member for South Shields (E...; Andrew Lewin | 784 cc797-8 (Link to this contribution)
In advocating for the motion, the Leader of the Opposition—[Interruption.] She is just returning ...; Luke Evans | 784 c798 (Link to this contribution)
I also took part in that debate. The hon. Gentleman will remember and the record will show that t...; Andrew Lewin | 784 c798 (Link to this contribution)
I remember the debate vividly. Members from both sides made the case. I said in my remarks that t...; Graham Stuart | 784 c798 (Link to this contribution)
It is quite clear, from the advice given by Simon Case in November 2024, that that was the situat...; Andrew Lewin | 784 c798 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman is very kind; I will see him on the cricket pitch in a week’s time. Ther...; Preet Kaur Gill | 784 c798 (Link to this contribution)
I want to pick up on that point. We have heard a lot of evidence today. Does my hon. Friend agree...; Andrew Lewin | 784 c799 (Link to this contribution)
I appreciate my hon. Friend’s intervention. The Prime Minister was right and the House was right ...; Sorcha Eastwood | 784 cc799-800 (Link to this contribution)
I want to put two things on record at the outset. The Labour party does not stand for election in...; Phil Brickell | 784 cc800-1 (Link to this contribution)
May I start by saying that I take serious exception to the remarks made by the hon. Member for Be...; Lloyd Hatton | 784 c801 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is speaking wisely of the time when Boris Johnson was before the Privileges Commit...; Phil Brickell | 784 cc801-3 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend makes a valid point. He is a noble campaigner on cleaning up the House and the pub...; Luke Evans | 784 c803 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Phil Brickell | 784 cc803-4 (Link to this contribution)
I am going to make some progress, if that is okay—[Interruption.] I am in the flow of things and ...; Sorcha Eastwood | 784 c804 (Link to this contribution)
Does that make it better?; Phil Brickell | 784 cc804-7 (Link to this contribution)
I am correcting the hon. Member on the points mentioned here; I am not here to talk about the pro...; John Lamont | 784 cc807-8 (Link to this contribution)
I am not quite sure how to follow that speech, but I hope that the Whips were listening to that j...; David Smith | 784 c808 (Link to this contribution)
My constituency neighbour is giving a speech full of hyperbole. The motion is about a specific qu...; John Lamont | 784 c809 (Link to this contribution)
If this motion is passed by the House, it will allow an investigation into the integrity of the P...; Chris Vince | 784 cc809-810 (Link to this contribution)
I apologise to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for the fact that I cannot promise as learned and long ...; Joe Robertson | 784 c810 (Link to this contribution)
I realise that the hon. Member is struggling to read his own handwriting, but does he have anythi...; Chris Vince | 784 c810 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Member for his contribution, I think. I am sorry that he is offended by my handw...; Simon Hoare | 784 c811 (Link to this contribution)
A moment ago, while the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister had popped out of the Chamber, the ...; Chris Vince | 784 c811 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for a far better intervention. The comment I made about the Chief Secr...; Ben Obese-Jecty | 784 c811 (Link to this contribution)
Trade envoy to Harlow, right there.; Chris Vince | 784 c811 (Link to this contribution)
Trade envoy to Harlow, did you say?
I asked the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister about...; Harriet Cross | 784 cc811-2 (Link to this contribution)
Having listened to this debate, I fear that the Labour Back Benchers who do not support the motio...; Sam Rushworth | 784 c812 (Link to this contribution)
I think the hon. Lady may be inadvertently misquoting the Prime Minister, but if I am wrong, I in...; Harriet Cross | 784 c812 (Link to this contribution)
That is a very welcome intervention. My recollection, and that of most Opposition Members, is tha...; Joe Robertson | 784 c812 (Link to this contribution)
I have a suggestion for this disagreement that is going on in the House: why do we not refer it t...; Harriet Cross | 784 cc812-3 (Link to this contribution)
Genius! My hon. Friend is full of great ideas. That is the calibre that we expect of him.
O...; Darren Jones | 784 c813 (Link to this contribution)
indicated dissent.; Harriet Cross | 784 c813 (Link to this contribution)
That says all we need to know.
I hope that Labour Back Benchers and, indeed, Ministers see ...; Luke Evans | 784 cc813-5 (Link to this contribution)
I usually come to this House to represent the people of Hinckley and Bosworth, and occasionally o...; Ellie Chowns | 784 c815 (Link to this contribution)
I will aim to be brief and to the point. I pay tribute to the moving, powerful and thoughtful spe...; Sam Rushworth | 784 c815 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Member give way?; Ellie Chowns | 784 c816 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman has said a lot today, and there are others still waiting to speak.
It is...; Christopher Chope | 784 c816 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to participate in this very important debate. I am going to add a perspective fr...; Jessica Toale | 784 c816 (Link to this contribution)
Will the hon. Gentleman give way?; Christopher Chope | 784 c817 (Link to this contribution)
No, I will not give way; I think we need to make progress.
The effect of using the word “wh...; Sarah Bool | 784 cc817-8 (Link to this contribution)
The Prime Minister came to this very Dispatch Box and said that “No pressure existed whatsoever” ...; Graham Stuart | 784 c818 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to take part in this debate. As many colleagues on the Opposition Benches have s...; John Slinger | 784 c818 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Graham Stuart | 784 cc818-9 (Link to this contribution)
I will give way to the hon. Gentleman in a moment.
There is a particular change today, beca...; John Slinger | 784 c819 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Rachel Taylor | 784 c819 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Graham Stuart | 784 c819 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady, who is a brilliant tennis player and a great partner, will forgive me if I give wa...; John Slinger | 784 c819 (Link to this contribution)
I like the right hon. Gentleman a great deal and thank him for his kind words. The moment has som...; Graham Stuart | 784 cc819-820 (Link to this contribution)
As so often, the hon. Gentleman does two things brilliantly: he reinforces his merit with the Whi...; Dave Doogan | 784 cc820-2 (Link to this contribution)
I want to start with a clumsy metaphor. If one is in public office, having anything to do with Pe...; Ben Obese-Jecty | 784 cc822-4 (Link to this contribution)
Madam Deputy Speaker,
“Why does the Prime Minister think everybody else’s actions have cons...; Ayoub Khan | 784 cc824-5 (Link to this contribution)
May I first extend my thoughts and prayers to the victims of Epstein? I commend the bold and cour...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c825 (Link to this contribution)
I call the shadow Secretary of State, Alex Burghart.
5.46 pm; Alex Burghart | 784 cc825-8 (Link to this contribution)
This has been a long and sometimes interesting debate. We have had some revelations. I was intere...; Darren Jones | 784 c828 (Link to this contribution)
May I begin by saying that the hon. Member’s speech—not least the beginning, when he visibly enjo...; Julian Lewis | 784 c829 (Link to this contribution)
Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?; Darren Jones | 784 c829 (Link to this contribution)
I will not—[Interruption.] I will happily give way in due course, but I want to turn to the subst...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c829 (Link to this contribution)
On that point, will the Minister give way?; Darren Jones | 784 c829 (Link to this contribution)
I think we have heard enough of the ranting incoherence of the Leader of the Opposition.
Le...; Julian Lewis | 784 c829 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Minister for giving way. Would not “full due process” have required the vetting to be...; Darren Jones | 784 cc829-830 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman should listen to my speech. I have just said that Catherine Little, Sir ...; Ayoub Khan | 784 c830 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister clearly believes that the Prime Minister has a defensible position, so will he suppo...; Darren Jones | 784 c830 (Link to this contribution)
I am not going to answer silly questions.
Next, on the question of pressure—[Interruption.]...; Ellie Chowns | 784 c830 (Link to this contribution)
Is it due process to make a public announcement of an appointment before vetting is completed? Is...; Darren Jones | 784 c830 (Link to this contribution)
I am trying my best, but I have answered both those questions already from the Dispatch Box. I re...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c830 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister give way?; Darren Jones | 784 c830 (Link to this contribution)
I will finish this section, then I will come to the right hon. Lady.
Sir Philip Barton told...; Kemi Badenoch | 784 c830 (Link to this contribution)
I asked the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister just one question in my speech. Will he repeat ...; Darren Jones | 784 c831 (Link to this contribution)
That is an important question, because it goes to the very heart of the motion before the House t...; Stephen Flynn | 784 c831 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Darren Jones | 784 cc831-2 (Link to this contribution)
These investigations cannot be done every week off the back of PMQs on an interpretation of the w...; Stephen Flynn | 784 c832 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the right hon. Member for belatedly giving way. I do not know if he has noticed, but this...; Darren Jones | 784 c832 (Link to this contribution)
I notice that the right hon. Member has nothing to say to those kids, to those patients waiting i...; Ellie Chowns | 784 c832 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Darren Jones | 784 c832 (Link to this contribution)
We are in an energy bills crisis and a climate emergency, and this Labour party is going to pull ...; Ellie Chowns | 784 c832 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c832 (Link to this contribution)
Order. In fairness to the right hon. Member, he has given way once already. The hon. Lady cannot ...; Darren Jones | 784 cc832-3 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful, Mr Speaker. I, for one, am rather enjoying myself, but I think the public might wa...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c833 (Link to this contribution)
A Member of Parliament has complained to me, as has another Member. When Members are shouting “sh...; Julian Lewis | 784 cc833-8 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Out of 190 questions for written answer that I have put down in ...; Darren Jones | 784 c838 (Link to this contribution)
rose—; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c838 (Link to this contribution)
We are not going to carry on the debate, but the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister is despera...; Darren Jones | 784 c838 (Link to this contribution)
Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. First, may I apologise to the right hon. Gentleman? I...; Emily Darlington | 784 c838 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I understand that when an MP visits another MP’s constituency, t...; Lindsay Hoyle | 784 c838 (Link to this contribution)
The good thing is that the Member has told me about it. I say to Members—whether they are Ministe...
Subjects: Codes of practice Conduct Diplomatic service Ministers Mandelson, Lord Vetting USA Starmer, Keir Parliamentary privilege Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Robbins, Olly
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on hansard.parliament.uk

Referral of Prime Minister to Committee of Privileges

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