ON a day when the Tories pushed through a power grab on Scotland with just 15 minutes of debate and one speech, they've managed to sink even lower.
Amid the democratic outrage that resulted in that situation, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford asked: "Mr Speaker, what options are available to us in this house to ensure that the Government understands real concern among people in Scotland at this unprecedented power grab, and how can we make sure that our voices are heard?"
READ MORE: Westminster votes through power grab on Scotland in 15 minutes
Immediately after the MP asks "what options are available", an MP can be heard shouting "suicide".
Tory MP (apparently Ian Liddell-Grainger) shouts "Suicide!", as SNP leader Ian Blackford asks the Speaker what options are available (on devolution and the lack of debate). How is this acceptable behaviour? pic.twitter.com/bl8FR42q1a
— Robert. (@RobDunsmore) June 12, 2018
Multiple reports from the Chamber have suggested Tory MP Ian Liddell-Grainger, who represents Bridgwater and West Somerset, was responsible for the comment.
Ian liddell-grainger just said 'suicide' when @IanBlackfordMP just asked what options are available to us as members of this house in relation to tonight's farcical proceedings. #EUWithdrawalBill
— Gavin Newlands MP (@GavNewlandsSNP) June 12, 2018
When @IanBlackfordMP asked the speaker what options are available ( referring to Scotland devolution and the lack of debate) , Ian Liddell-Grainger shouts 'suicide’
— Ronnie Cowan MP (@ronniecowan) June 12, 2018
What an absolute disgrace. #EUWithdrawalBill
SNP justice spokeswoman Joanna Cherry later alleged: "When [Blackford] was asking you what options were open to Scottish parliamentarians to raise their concern about what has just occurred, [Liddell-Grainger] shouted 'suicide'. Is that in order?"
Bercow said he did not hear the remark, adding: "I would judge that, frankly, to be distasteful. Is it disorderly? I think it's almost certainly not disorderly."
This is the contempt which Westminster feels for Scotland's Parliament and Scotland's MPs. Devolution all but ignored in debate and the leader of the 3rd party told to contemplate suicide as an option. @ScotNational #EUWithdrawalBill #BrexitBill #scotlandsplaceineurope #Brexit pic.twitter.com/64SqmenCWL
— Joanna Cherry QC MP (@joannaccherry) June 12, 2018
We await an apology from the MP responsible from the shout – but the fact they even thought it appropriate in the first place is incredibly telling.
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