Sir Lindsay Hoyle facing motion of no confidence over Gaza debate ...

Sir Keir Starmer accused the Tories and SNP of “choosing political games over serious solutions”.

Following chaos in the Commons that saw SNP and some Conservative MPs walk out of the chamber, the Labour leader said in a statement: “Today was a chance for Parliament to unite and speak with one voice on the horrendous situation in Gaza and Israel.

“It was in that spirit that Labour put forward an amendment calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. One that that will last, that would require both sides to observe it, that would demand hostages are returned, that aid gets into Gaza, that said Israel has a right to be protected against a repeat of October 7th and – crucially – that requires a road map for a two-state solution. It is a serious plan for such an incredibly serious situation.

“Unfortunately, the Conservatives and the SNP decided to walk out hand-in-hand, refusing to vote on this serious matter, yet again choosing political games over serious solutions.

“It is clear the only party with a plan for the challenges facing Britain – whether here or abroad – is Labour. And it is clearer than ever that it is only Labour that will put country over party and silly political games in order to deliver.”

Sir Lindsay Hoyle apologised to MPs and vowed to hold talks with senior party figures amid calls to “resign”.

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.”

He said he took the decision to allow all sides to “express their views” and that he was “very, very concerned about the security” of MPs who have received personal threats over their stance on the Gaza conflict.

The row erupted when Sir Lindsay Hoyle decided the Commons would first vote on Labour’s amendment calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” before moving on to further votes on the SNP’s original motion and then a government proposal seeking an “immediate humanitarian pause”.

He disregarded warnings from the House of Commons Clerk over the unprecedented nature of the move, which provoked uproar in the chamber.

Labour’s amendment ended up passing unopposed without a formal vote after the government pulled its participation.

The Speaker of the House of Commons is under pressure over his handling of a debate on Gaza, which resulted in MPs passing Labour’s amendment calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” amid scenes of chaos.

The motion was approved but only after Sir Lindsay Hoyle upended parliamentary convention by selecting Labour’s bid to amend an SNP motion on the Israel-Hamas war.

His decision sparked fury from the Conservative and SNP benches, who accused him of helping Sir Keir Starmer avoid another damaging revolt over the Middle East issue.

Sir Lindsay issued an apology after a day of acrimony but continues to face calls to resign.

Stephen Flynn has called for an investigation into the chaos in the Commons on Wednesday following a debate on Gaza led by his party.

The SNP Westminster leader suggested Labour had sought to influence Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle into taking the unprecedented step of granting multiple votes during a debate on a Gaza ceasefire led by his Commons.

It followed uproar in the Commons, after the Speaker defied expectations by deciding MPs would first vote on Labour’s calls for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” ahead of a Government amendment seeking an “immediate humanitarian pause” to the Israel-Hamas conflict which could pave the way for a more permanent stop in fighting.

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Speaker Lindsay Hoyle apologises after controversial decision on Gaza ceasefire motion

The Commons Leader said Sir Lindsay had “raised temperatures” and put MPs in a “more difficult position” by selecting Labour’s bid to amend the SNP motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and Israel.

It had been expected Sir Lindsay would select just the Government’s amendment seeking an “immediate humanitarian pause” to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which could pave the way for a more permanent stop in fighting.

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Labour’s amendment calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza has been approved in the House of Commons amid chaotic scenes.

SNP MPs and some Conservatives walked out of the chamber in protest at Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s handling of the Gaza ceasefire debate.

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt claimed Sir Lindsay had “hijacked” the debate and “undermined the confidence” of the House in its long-standing rules by selecting Labour’s bid to amend the SNP motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war.

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Gaza ceasefire protesters rally outside Parliament as MPs debate SNP motion

Hundreds of protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza gathered outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, 21 February, as MPs debated a Scottish National Party (SNP) motion calling for an end to the bloody conflict. It came as there was uproar in the Commons as Sir Lindsay Hoyle sparked anger among Tories and the SNP after breaking with convention to allow a vote on Labour’s call for a ceasefire. MPs called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” amid chaotic scenes which saw Conservative and SNP MPs walk out of the chamber in protest over the Speaker’s handling of the debate. Sir Lindsay apologised to MPs after facing calls to quit.

Read the full article here from John Rentoul