LINDSAY Hoyle has hit out at Keir Starmer, claiming that the Prime Minister provided a redacted version of his defence spending statement to himself and Kemi Badenoch.
The Commons Speaker also expressed “serious” concern over reports that some of the redacted information was provided to the media.
Hoyle said: “The ministerial code says the text of statements should be provided in advance to the Opposition and to the Speaker. It does not provide for the text to be redacted.
“I am particularly concerned at the reports that some of the redacted information was provided to the media in advance, if correct, that is very discourteous to this House. I take it very seriously."
He added: “Or it could well be that it’s been leaked, in which case, I hope there will be an inquiry to what has happened. I will therefore ask the Prime Minister to look into what has happened in this case and report back to me and to the House as soon as possible.”
Starmer, meanwhile, committed to holding an inquiry into the leak.
He responded: “Can I begin by giving my word to this House that this was not given to the media. I will absolutely have an inquiry into this but I would not be that discourteous.
I spoke to you this morning, Mr. Speaker, I would not be discourteous to you or to the Leader of the Opposition in that way, or to the House.
“And I give you that assurance from this despatch box, and I apologise to the Leader of the Opposition, and I will make that inquiry.”
