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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Abbi Garton-Crosbie

Tory MP secures Commons debate on conduct of SNP's John Nicolson

A TORY MP has successfully secured a debate on the actions of SNP MP John Nicolson in the House of Commons.

It comes after the Speaker said Nicolson gave a "partial and biased account" of a letter sent to him on Twitter.

It's understood that Sir Lindsay Hoyle has decided to allow David Davis, Tory MP and former Brexit minister, to table a motion on privilege on the actions of Nicolson.

The debate will take place on Tuesday November 29, after any urgent questions but before any government business. 

Ochil and South Perthshire MP Nicolson was called to apologise by Hoyle last week, for posting part of his letter relating to a decision on referring former culture secretary Nadine Dorries to the Privileges Committee. 

Hoyle told the Commons on Monday afternoon that there had been a request for him to "give precedence to a matter as an issue of privilege".

He continued: "The matter in question is the conduct of the Honourable Member for Ochill and South Perthshire, relating to private correspondence between him and my office.

"The House will recall I gave the honourable member an opportunity to apologise, while this Erskine May is clear that granting of applications for precedence is a matter for the Speaker, given the subject relates to my office, I have consulted with the deputy speakers before making my decision."

Hoyle said it wasn't for him to decide if "contempt had been committed", but instead whether there is an "arguable case for the House to examine such".

He continued: "I have considered the issue taking account of the advice from the Deputy Speakers and clerks of the House. I've decided this is a matter that I should allow the precedence according to the issue of privilege. 

"The Right Honourable Member for Haltemprice and Howden may therefore table a motion to be debated tomorrow."

Hoyle said the full details of the motion would be available before the Commons rises on Monday evening. 

Following PMQs last week, Hoyle called on Nicolson to provide an apology, adding: "It is not the way we should be doing business in this House."

Nicolson responded that he "deplores social media pile-ons", adding: "But could I ask for guidance on what I and other members should tell their constituents about integrity in politics in this context? If someone misleads a committee, what should happen next?"

Hoyle responded by stating that by printing "half the letter is not integrity" and said it "misled" the people of the UK.

"It certainly put me in a bad light with the people of this country, and I don’t expect that to happen – an impartial Speaker – so if that was an apology I don’t think it was very good," Hoyle responded. 

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