Row in Commons as Speaker accuses Labour MP of ‘disgraceful’ behaviour

Chris Bryant denies he swore at Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Prominent Labour backbencher Chris Bryant stormed out of the Commons chamber after being admonished by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for “disgraceful behaviour”.

The Rhondda MP later denied claims that he had triggered the Speaker’s wrath by swearing at him.

The incident came during prime minister’s questions, when Sir Lindsay suddenly interrupted Boris Johnson in mid-flow to yell: "Order, Mr Bryant... Mr Bryant....?"

The Speaker appeared to be shouting to the former minister through a door leading into one of the voting lobbies behind the green benches.

When Mr Bryant did not appear, Sir Lindsay said: "I suggest the whip goes and has a word with him. We're not having that disgraceful behaviour."

Cameras in the Commons did not record what had angered the Speaker and Bryant had left the chamber before most of those present were aware what was happening.

Some in the chamber thought that Mr Bryant had sworn at the Speaker, but the MP himself firmly denied this, telling The Independent: “I absolutely did not swear at him or at anyone”.

One MP said that Mr Bryant had “pulled faces” at Hoyle.

It is understood that he initially attracted Sir Lindsay’s attention by heckling the PM from a standing position near a door close to the Speaker’s chair.

Their clash apparently occurred after Hoyle told him that social distancing rules meant he should not be there and asked him to sit in one of the seats designated for use by MPs.

Shortly after leaving the chamber, Mr Bryant reappeared and stood alongside Sir Lindsay, where the two appeared to engage in a heated discussion. Sir Lindsay then told the MP: “Mr Bryant, I think we need to have this conversation later.”

Neither the Speaker’s office nor the Labour whips’ office commented on the incident when approached by The Independent.

Bryant and Hoyle were rivals for the speakership when John Bercow stepped down in 2019, with the Chorley MP eventually winning out by 325 votes to 213.