Local MPs have slammed “deeply shameful” scenes at Westminster amid reports of Conservative backbenchers being “physically manhandled” and bullied by government enforcers.
Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman said he heard “a lot of raised voices and swearing as some of the Tory MPs were heading to the voting lobby” over a contentious vote to ban fracking.
Liz Truss’s government has been thrust further into disarray following the fracas, with the apparent resignation of her chief whip Wendy Morton and her deputy Craig Whittaker.
It comes after a minister withdrew the threat that the Commons division would be treated as a vote of confidence in the government – meaning MPs voting in favour of the motion would have been expelled from the Conservative party.
Cabinet ministers present at row
There were reports that Tory MPs considering voting with Labour to ban fracking were shouted at within voting lobbies and even physically moved into the No 10 lobby.
Labour MP Chris Bryant identified Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey and Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg as being among those present, though he did not accuse them of being involved in misbehaviour.
Mr Chapman, an SNP MP, said: “When I arrived to vote, the stairway from the Speaker’s chair was partially blocked by party loyalists.
“While I was able to squeeze past and vote, the obvious tactic was to prevent any Tory MPs from voting against the government.
“Afterwards the angry shouting continued and it felt like the end of days either for the prime minister, the government or both.
“I think Truss will be sacked by the morning.
“Even for the most fervent Tory MP, this is totally unsustainable and we do not have a functioning UK Government.”
MP criticises ‘utter shambles’
Mr Chapman’s party colleague Chris Law, who represents Dundee West, described the scenes as “deeply shameful”.
He said: “Tonight’s fracking vote, I didn’t think it was going to be like this. I don’t think anybody did.
“I think the scenes outside the Commons, including what Chris Bryant has now went on the record as seeing, were shocking.
“People being pushed about and jostled because they weren’t clear about what they were doing.
“I think it was minutes before the vote we heard they were no longer going to remove the whip from those voting against the government.”
Mr Law continued: “This is an utter shambles. Just this year, we’ve had four chancellors, two prime ministers.
“Clearly the message to people across Scotland, as well as Dundee, is that this cannot continue.
“People are really suffering right now with the cost of living crisis and the government has lost complete control.
“The only option they have is to call a General Election so that the people of Dundee and Scotland can have a voice, and end this complete and utter shambles under the UK Government.”
Labour MP sees ‘jostling and shouting’
Meanwhile, Labour MP Ian Murray tweeted that he had “never seen scenes like it”.
I’ve never seen scenes like it at the entrance to a voting lobby. Tories on open warfare. Jostling and Rees Mogg shouting at his colleagues. Whips screaming at Tories.
They are done and should call a general election.
Two Tory whips dragging people in. Shocking.— Ian Murray MP (@IanMurrayMP) October 19, 2022
He said: “Tories on open warfare. Jostling and Rees-Mogg shouting at his colleagues. Whips screaming at Tories.
“They are done and should call a General Election.
“Two Tory whips dragging people in. Shocking.”
MPs were alerted to the chief whip’s apparent resignation by Labour’s shadow leader of the Commons, Thangam Debbonnaire, who told the House: “There are very strong rumours that the government chief whip has apparently resigned.”
Calls for an investigation
Mr Bryant told the deputy speaker: “I would urge you to launch an investigation into the scenes outside the entrance to the No lobby earlier.
“As you know, members are expected to be able to vote without fear or favour and the behaviour code which is agreed by the whole of the House says there shall never be bullying or harassment.
“I saw members being physically manhandled into another lobby and being bullied.”
Mr Rees-Mogg dismissed reports that MPs were bullied.
“I think to characterise it as bullying is mistaken,” he told Sky News.
“I did hear one person shout and use an expletive as he marched in.
“He said everyone should go and vote and he said that loudly.
“But he didn’t say it to anyone individually. He said it to the assembled crowd.
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