'Scuffling' in Commons was like 'Etonian version of River City'

The SNP's Stephen Flynn claimed he witnessed a "fair bit of scuffling" in the voting lobby on Wednesday night and said Tory MPs were "visibly upset" by what was happening.

Meanwhile David Linden, also an SNP MP, said he witnessed the Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey "practically pick up a hesitant Tory MP and march him into the Government lobby". 

The Government won the vote on lifting a ban on fracking in England but rumours were rife all evening about Tory MPs allegedly being manhandled to ensure they did not break ranks. 

Senior Labour MP Chris Bryant has already alleged a Tory member was “physically pulled” into the voting lobby to back the Government. 

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The Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has now said the Serjeant at Arms and senior officials will investigate the chaos and he wants all parties to agree that the behaviour was unacceptable. 

The SNP's Flynn has said he witnessed scenes involving both Coffey and Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg. 

Flynn told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland: "I think what I witnessed is probably best summed up as an Etonian version of River City.

Stephen Flynn (Image: PA)

"You had scuffles involving the Deputy Prime Minister, Jacob Rees-Mogg, and there were Tory MPs who were visibly upset.

"I’m quite scunnered by it all because while they’re falling apart at the seams over an issue in fracking -  which will never happen in Scotland - people who do live in Scotland are worried about how they’re going to pay their bills.

"It’s a scary time for many people and we need serious politics, and the UK Government is not offering that at the moment."

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With the Conservatives allegedly playing down what went on, Flynn added: "I saw a fair bit of scuffling.

"When I came out the lobby, there was a fair big group of Tory MPs and Therese Coffey was in the middle of it, but to be honest I walked away from it. I wasn’t interested in their psychodrama.

Just watched the Deputy Prime Minister practically pick up a hesitant Tory MP and march him into the Government lobby. Astonishing.

— David Linden MP (@DavidLinden) October 19, 2022

"There’s a government in office but not in power, it was so clear to see, and I was just very frustrated.

"I do know from speaking to colleagues who hung about that they were extremely concerned by the behaviour from some Tory MPs, some senior members of government, and a number of people who were visibly upset."

Labour’s motion to ban fracking was defeated by 230 votes to 326, majority 96.

Bryant claimed he witnessed chaos in Westminster as MPs were unaware of whether they would lose the whip for voting against the Government or not. 

Asked if Liz Truss can survive as Prime Minister, Flynn said: "I’m surprised she’s still in office.

"Her position is completely untenable. She clearly has no control over her government or party.

"She is offering no reassurance to the public at all. But we need to look at the wider picture because we have a UK which is falling apart at the seams at the highest level of government and we have an opportunity in Scotland to create a fairer, more equal country and that’s what I think we should be seeking to grasp."