Oral Answers to Questions

John Nicolson Excerpts

Thursday 6th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[John Nicolson (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP)]

Happy new year, Mr Speaker.

My hon. Friend the Member for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock (Allan Dorans) raised a strong point about scrutiny and good government. Before Christmas, the Secretary of State appointed her preferred candidate as chair of the Charity Commission. Within a week he was gone, after it was discovered that he had behaved inappropriately to women colleagues, sending one a picture of himself in a Victoria’s Secrets store—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I do not think that is linked to the question, which is about the Online Safety Bill. Your question has to be linked; that is why it is taken. I will call you on topicals, so you can ask the question then. [Interruption.] They are not my rules. They are rules the House has set so it is no use getting angry with me. The question has to be relevant.

[John Nicolson]

I am not angry with you, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

Thank you.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We have only got 10 minutes for this and some Back Benchers have not got in yet.

[John Nicolson (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP)]

You may have a sense of déjà vu, Mr Speaker, when I tell you that before Christmas the Secretary of State appointed a preferred candidate as Charity Commission chair. Within a week he was gone, when it was discovered that he had sent a photo of himself in a Victoria’s Secret store. Does the Secretary of State do no vetting when she appoints candidates? When she appoints a new candidate, can she promise us that it will be less chaotic a process than last time round?