The Rwanda bill was back in the Commons on Monday night as the ping pong between the two chambers continues. The evening became a tad rowdier than expected, however, after one MP decided to exercise some rather vulgar language during the session…
One politician shocked his colleagues after he was heard shouting ‘sh***’ during the debate. Deputy Speaker Sir Roger Gale was having none of it, fuming: ‘I’m informed that a Member swore at one of the doorkeepers this evening who on my instructions locked the doors’ and added that once the individual is identified, the ‘consequences will be very severe’. Oo er.
Gale didn’t have to investigate for too long, however, before an embarrassed Labour MP handed himself in. Making a point of order, Clive Lewis admitted he was the guilty culprit and apologised for his potty mouth. Explaining his ‘earlier outburst’, the Labour MP blamed a message he’d received ‘which caused me some consternation and surprise’. ‘If I could do it again I’d probably have said something like “my giddy aunt”, rather what did come out of my mouth,’ he added. He wasn’t asking for alternatives, Clive…
But honesty did the trick and his ‘candour in identifying himself and the fullness of the nature of his apology’ was appreciated and accepted, Gale replied. The incident occurred during a debate in the Commons on Monday evening that saw off the Lords’ amendments to the Rwanda Bill in a series of votes, with majorities ranging from 57 to 78. Rishi Sunak will be rather pleased that none of the proposals were upheld, given those that considered a larger role for the courts could have dramatically halted the progress of the project altogether. Other MPs have been more candid about their thoughts on the interventions, with illegal migration minister Michael Tomlinson and vocal backbencher Sir John Hayes blasting the peers for their ‘wrecking amendments’.
The Rwanda bill will now return to the Lords as the ‘ping pong’ continues. Although the Prime Minister has had the support of MPs in voting down the proposals, there’s a chance that the peers could cause further delays if they request more changes to the bill. It is expected that enough crossbench peers will back the amendment and defeat the government, pushing it back to the Commons again and delaying royal assent until after Easter. Whatever happens, Mr S only hopes that next time the debate will remain a little more civilised…
Watch the clip here:
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