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5 months ago
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Keir Starmer and Lindsay Hoyle could be faced with an inquiry over the Gaza ceasefire vote as Penny Mordaunt is thought to be backing a fresh bid to refer them to a privileges committee for investigation.
Sir Lindsay allowed a vote on a Labour amendment to the SNPs Gaza ceasefire motion at the end of February - causing the House of Commons to descend into chaos, with some MPs walking out.
The controversial decision, which frustrated politicians, meant that it was not voted on.
However, the move was seen as helpful to Sir Keir Starmer who looked to avoid another major Commons revolt by his MPs over his stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
It was then alleged that Sir Lindsay had faced threats from Labour if he did not act, although Starmer has denied this.
Following the decision, the leader of the Commons, Penny Mordaunt has expressed support for a vote on a motion which would lead to the pair being investigated, The Times reported.
Keir Starmer (pictured) could be under pressure as Morduant offers private support for a motion on him being investigated
Sir Lindsay (pictured) allowed a vote on a Labour amendment to the SNPs Gaza ceasefire motion at the end of February - a move that was seen to benefit Starmer
Penny Mordaunt (pictured) has expressed support for a vote on a motion which would lead to the pair being investigated
It would mean that Starmer and Sir Lindsay could then be referred to the privileges committee and claims that Starmer coerced the speaker could be investigated.
A new motion to push for an investigation has been put in place and could overrule Sir Lindsay's decision.
The motion has been put together by some Tory MPs and the SNP - Mordaunt reportedly has privately supported it.
A vote for the investigation into the coercion claims against Starmer could go ahead if the support matches the numbers who rallied against the Speaker previously.
It comes after the Speaker was hit with 96 MPs signing a confidence motion in him.
Although there is no formal scheme to oust the Commons Speaker – the motion of no confidence was thought to be a possible threat to his position.
A new motion to push for an investigation has been put in place and could overrule Sir Lindsay's decision
A Labour source told The Times: 'The deputy speakers, who are a majority Conservative MPs, looked at this and dismissed it.
'What we're now seeing is Penny Mordaunt taking advantage of Rishi Sunak's weakness to try and boost her standing with Tory backbenchers by continuing to push this.
'Meanwhile the government isn't making time for the issues that matter to voters.'
MailOnline has approached the Labour Party for comment.
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