House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle orders MPs to stop ‘screaming and shouting’ in Commons

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has demanded MPs stop ‘screaming and shouting’ in the House of Commons after a Conservative backbencher yelled and stamped his feet during PMQs.

The Speaker, 64, said he wanted behaviour in the Commons to be more ‘well mannered’ after a video of Jonathan Gullis shouting was shared online.

Gullis, who has been the MP for Stoke-on-Trent North since 2019, was filmed yelling and stamping his feet in a show of support for Boris Johnson during PMQs on Wednesday.

But Sir Hoyle has hit back at MPs’ behaviour and language in the chamber, saying that screaming over ministers or shadow ministers at the dispatch box was ‘disrespectful’.

At PMQs on Wednesday, exchanges between Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the Prime Minister were inaudible, despite Sir Hoyle’s threats to move MPs who shouted over the debate. 

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he wanted behaviour in the Commons to be more ‘well mannered’ after a video of Jonathan Gullis (pictured without a face mask on) shouting was shared online

Sir Hoyle, who intervened four times during this week’s PMQs, said he wanted behaviour in the chamber to be ‘more tolerant and well mannered’. 

He told The Times: ‘I want a House of Commons that is respected across the world, which means our discourse needs to be kinder, more tolerant and well mannered. 

‘In other words, we should be setting an example in the way we debate and the way we behave.’

Sir Hoyle, the MP for Chorley, also said constituents want to hear what is being said during the debate, warning that any shouting or screaming makes it ‘impossible’ to do so.

It comes after a video circulated online showing Mr Gullis shouting and stamping his feet while Mr Johnson spoke during PMQs.

Other MPs joined in with the shouting and cheering, while the Prime Minister continued to try and make his argument over the noise.

Mr Gullis was not wearing a face mask during the debate and while masks are not compulsory in the Commons, many MPs began wearing coverings in October after Sir Hoyle said they should do so to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Sir Hoyle (pictured) has hit back at MPs behaviour and language in the chamber, saying that screaming over ministers or shadow ministers at the dispatch box was ‘disrespectful’

Gullis (pictured) was elected in 2019 as the first Conservative to represent Stock-on-Trent North, but recent polling suggests the Tories could lose the seat at the next election

People took to Twitter following the incident to criticise his behaviour, with some Twitter users claiming that he had ’embarrassed himself’. 

One person fumed: ‘The behaviour of Jonathan Gullis MP yesterday in the House of Commons was appalling. 

‘Gullis is the very worst of the Tory party. Shouting, jeering and braying all without a mask.’ 

Another wrote: ‘Watched Jonathan Gullis at PMQ’s. Was animated like a small child playing pass the parcel. 

‘Could hardly contain himself, mouth agape, red faced, loudly whooping and yelling.’

A third said: ‘Imagine how 155,000 bereaved families feel looking at this.’

A fourth commented: ‘Who’s that joker?’ 

Mr Gullis was elected in 2019 as the first Conservative to represent Stock-on-Trent North, but recent polling suggests the Tories could lose the seat at the next election.

Last February, Mr Gullis was prevented from taking part in a House of Commons debate over Zoom for being inappropriately dressed.

Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing  took one look at the MP’s sweater before stating that he needed to dress as if he was physically at the House of Commons.

Mr Gullis, who used to be a secondary school teacher in Birmingham, was later able to make his virtual contribution to Parliament after putting on a jacket and tie.