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The House of Commons descended into chaos as Conservative and SNP MPs walked out in protest over the Speaker’s handling of the Gaza ceasefire debate.Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said Sir Lindsay Hoyle had “hijacked” the debate by selecting Labour’s bid to amend the SNP motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas conflict.It had been expected he 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.But instead, he decided the Commons would first vote on Labour’s calls before moving on to further votes on the SNP’s original motion, and then the government’s proposals if either of the first two were to fail to garner enough support, causing a furore. More

Sir Lindsay Hoyle apologised to the House of Commons after chaos ensued during a debate over a ceasefire in Gaza.The Commons Speaker faced shouts of “resign” from both sides of the House after selecting Labour’s bid to amend an SNP motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and Israel.It had been expected Sir Lindsay would select only the government’s amendment seeking an “immediate humanitarian pause” to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which could pave the way for a more permanent end to fighting.“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,” Sir Lindsay said. More

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. More

Layla Moran pleaded with Parliament to unite and back a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as she said members of her family remain trapped in a church in northern Gaza.The British-Palestinian Liberal Democrat MP said her relatives are stuck with “No food, no water, no way of getting down to the south.””Without an immediate ceasefire, they and other families who are trapped can’t achieve anything,” she told the Commons.Ms Moran spoke during a debate as MPs prepared to vote on an SNP motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. More

Former health minister Ben Bradshaw asked the Conservative Party “What is your problem with trans people?” during a heated Prime Minister’s Questions today (21 February).Labour MP Ben Bradshaw claimed Kemi Badenoch had not met with any LGBT groups since taking on her role as an equalities minister, despite her claiming she had “engaged extensively”.Mr Bradshaw said: “A freedom of information answer published this week reveals that in fact the minister hasn’t met a single LGBT organisation, but has met two fringe groups that actively campaign against transgender rights. “What is the problem the Prime Minister, and a section of his party, have with trans people, and his equalities minister has with the truth?”Rishi Sunak said: “This Government has a proud track record of supporting those in the LGBT community and will continue to do so.” More

Rishi Sunak has pledged justice for victims of the UK’s infected blood scandal.Thousands of patients who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s are expected to receive compensation ahead of the next general election.Mr Sunak was quizzed on the “deeply awful” scandal by Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 21 February.“I recognise that thousands have suffered for decades,” he said.“We will do what we need to make it right.” More

The Conservative cabinet has been likened to Millwall football club, by former trade unionist leader Baroness Frances O’Grady.Baroness O’Grady joined the BBC’s Politics Live show on Wednesday (21 February), as the panel discussed business secretary Kemi Badenoch’s allegation that the former Post Office chairman was “lying” over claims he was told to “go slow” on compensation for postmasters.Baroness O’Grady: “The Tory cabinet is rapidly turning into Millwall. Nobody likes us and we don’t care.“It seems to be picking fights all over the place and actually what we should be focussed on is getting that compensation and justice for the postmasters as fast as possible.” More

Rishi Sunak has confirmed the UK and its allies are “considering all options” to hold Russia and Vladimir Putin to account after the death of Alexei Navalny.He made the comments during a session of Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 21 February.“[Navalny] died for a cause to which he dedicated his whole life – freedom,” Mr Sunak said, calling his decision to return to Russia “one of the most courageous acts of our time”.Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute to Navalny and shared his “disgust” over the 47-year-old’s death. More