Labour's Pat McFadden denied that Keir Starmer threatened to withdraw its support for him as Commons Speaker after the next General Election if he did not select its amendment on a Gaza ceasefire.
Asked if the threat had been made, the party’s national campaign co-ordinator told GB News: “It's just not true. We've certainly made representations to have a proposition considered but we've got the highest respect for Mr Speaker.
“I feel bad for him today because he's taking the blame and apologising for a situation that he couldn't have foreseen when he took that decision.
“Who would have thought that the Government of the day didn't even have the numbers on his own side on a foreign policy proposition and that their decision to withdraw from the debate would effectively crater the plan that the Speaker had put together to make sure that all three propositions could be voted on.”
Asked if he should resign, in a discussion during Breakfast with Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello, he continued: “No, no, I don't think he should go. I see no reason why his position should be under threat because of this.
“It's not his fault that the Government didn't have the numbers on its own side and that we ended up with those scenes last night. He was trying on an issue that people have got very strong feelings about, to make sure that all three propositions could be considered.
“Although it was a departure from precedent, the clerk who issued the advice on this acknowledged that it wasn't a breach of the rules, that there's nothing in the Commons standing orders to stop the Speaker taking that decision.”
He added: “I feel bad for the speaker today, and I don't think his position should be threatened. I hope those who signed that resolution saying that he should be were maybe acting in a bit of temper and will reflect a bit more calmly this morning.”
