SNP whip says Lindsay Hoyle row only 'tip of iceberg' for Westminster bullying

The SNP’s chief whip in London has said that last week’s debacle around Lindsay Hoyle is only the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to bullying in Westminster.

Owen Thompson said “bullying is an open, sordid secret in Westminster” which “goes on unchecked”.

House of Commons Speaker Hoyle was accused of favouring his own political party by allowing a vote on Labour’s amendment to the SNP’s Gaza motion on Wednesday.

There had been reports that Keir Starmer had put pressure on the former Labour MP, but the Labour leader denied threatening the speaker.

Midlothian MP Thompson said: “The incident with the Speaker needs to be properly investigated to get to the bottom of what really happened.

“There are claims he was put under huge pressure by the Labour Party to break with convention and put its position on the Israel-Hamas conflict to a vote.

“Regardless of the details of this incident, bullying is an open, sordid secret in Westminster.

“There are all sorts of rules and regulations against it but it goes on unchecked.

“Bullying needs to be stamped out wherever it is found – and MPs really need to get their own house in order first.”

Hoyle made an unusual decision to permit the Labour amendment during the debate.

The move meant Labour MPs could propose a ceasefire without supporting a different motion from the SNP which could have caused a rift within the Labour party.

It angered SNP MPs and the Tory Government refused to take part.

The speaker explained that he allowed the vote to ensure the safety of MPs but it led to a fierce row in the Commons.

He later said sorry but the SNP has since demanded his resignation.

Some 70 MPs have signed a motion of no confidence in Hoyle, but he is unlikely to be ousted as the Government and Labour support him.

Midlothian MP Owen Thompson

Thompson said bullying was insidious and created a culture of “silent suffering” and “cast a shadow over Westminster’s walls.”

He said: “Cases of bullying in the UK Parliament are not always explicitly reported or documented due to the sensitive nature of these matters.

“So the cases we do know about are just the tip of the iceberg. In 2018, an inquiry led by Dame Laura Cox investigated allegations of bullying and harassment within the UK Parliament.

“I really think nothing has improved since then, in fact it may have got worse.

“The report highlighted a culture of deference, subservience, acquiescence and silence and found evidence of widespread bullying and mistreatment of staff by MPs and other officials.

“MPs also bully other MPs – the hypocrisy is stunning. There is a real epidemic of silent suffering out there.

“Bullying casts a long shadow over Westminster’s walls. Let’s not forget that former Speaker John Bercow faced allegations of bullying and mistreatment of staff during his tenure.

“Several former parliamentary staff members came forward with claims of bullying behaviour including allegations of shouting, swearing, and intimidation.”

The House of Commons authorities have been approached for comment.

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