Lindsay Hoyle sparked outrage in the Commons by conducting a Labour 'stitch-up' (Image: Getty/Parliament TV)

       Furious MPs are plotting to oust the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle after he threw Sir Keir Starmer a lifeline in a “stitch-up” over a crunch Gaza vote. Conservative and Scottish nationalists walked out in protest after Sir Lindsay defied official advice to give a ruling that favoured Labour.

       The Speaker was forced into a humiliating apology after hours of unbridled anger in the chamber. But Sir Lindsay was told his position is “intolerable” and he must now quit.

       Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt unleashed a furious attack on the one-time Labour MP for allowing himself to be dragged into party politics.

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       Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is caught in a bias row (Image: PA)

       Ms Mordaunt said: “I fear that this most grave matter that we’re discussing today and this afternoon has become a political row within the Labour Party and that regrettably Mr Speaker has inserted himself into that row with today’s decision and undermined the confidence of this House in being able to rely on its long-established standing orders to govern its debates.”

       She told the Commons the decision had “raised temperatures” on an issue where feelings are already running high and it had put MPs in a more difficult position.

       The Scottish National Party had called an Opposition Day Debate on a ceasefire in Gaza. But the Speaker went against normal procedures to allow Labour to hijack the vote with its own version of calls for fighting to end.

       It meant Labour did not face a rebellion after months of deep unrest about Sir Keir’s approach to the conflict.

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       After repeated demands from a clearly incandescent SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn that he should return to the House to face MPs, the Speaker appeared in the Commons.

       He said: “I thought I was doing the right thing and the best thing, and I regret it, and I apologise for how it’s ended up.

       “I do take responsibility for my actions, and that’s why I want to meet with the key players who have been involved."

       Sir Lindsay said: “Today’s debate was exceptional in its intensity with which all parties wished to secure a vote.”

       He said the decision taken was intended to allow the House “the widest range of propositions on which to express a view”, adding: “I wanted to do the best, and it was my wish … to do the best by every member of this House.”

       He went on: “The danger is … that that’s why I wanted everybody to express … because I am very, very concerned about the security of all members … I was very concerned, I am still concerned, and that’s why the meetings I have had today is about the security of members, their families and the people that are involved.

       “And I’ve got to say, I regret how it’s ended up. It was not my intention. I wanted all to ensure they could express their views and all sides of the House could vote. As it was, in particular the SNP were ultimately unable to vote on their proposition.

       “I am, and I regret … with my sadness, that it’s ended up … in this position. That was never my intention for it to end like this. I was absolutely convinced that the decision was done with the right intentions. I recognise the strength of feeling of members on this issue.”

       Mr Flynn said he would take significant convincing that the Speaker’s position was “not now intolerable” and claimed his party had been treated with contempt.

       He told the Commons: “Can I firstly begin by echoing your sentiments in relation to the debate that was had in the Chamber in relation to the most important of matters with regard to the safety of civilians in Gaza and indeed those in Israel.

       “There has been a difference of view in the House today, but I think that difference of view has been expressed in a way that we can agree has been in a positive fashion in the best fitting way of any democracy, any functioning democracy.”

       He added: “Mr Speaker, whilst I acknowledge your apology, the reality is that you were warned by the clerks of the House that your decision could lead to the SNP not having a vote on our very own Opposition Day. As a result, we have seen the SNP Opposition Day turn into a Labour Party Opposition Day.

       “I am afraid that that is treating myself and my colleagues in the Scottish National Party with complete and utter contempt. I will take significant convincing that your position is not now intolerable.”

       The Speaker denied claims that he met Sir Keir’s chief of staff Sue Gray, the former civil servant who investigated Partygate.

       Conservative MP Philip Davies raised claims that Sir Lindsay had been “put under intolerable pressure” by Sir Keir’s team and “left in no doubt that Labour would bring him down after the general election unless he called Labour’s Gaza amendment”.

       Deputy Speaker Dame Rosie Winterton insisted he was “incorrect”.

       Senior Tory Sir Michael Fabricant said the Sir Lindsay decision was “a shameless stitch-up by a shameless pair: Starmer and Gray".

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       William Wragg, chairman of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, who supported Sir Lindsay in his bid to become Speaker, tabled a motion of no confidence in him.

       He said: “Upon such a serious debate and topic, and on a personal note from me having given Mr Speaker the great deal of support in his election to this House, on the basis that we were going to have a fresh start and that conventions that govern our proceedings wouldn’t be meddled with to seek one particular view at any one time, I am hugely disappointed by what has transpired.

       “We are not showing ourselves as a House anywhere near our best of what we are capable of to the country.”

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