Speaker’s Statement Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Speaker’s Statement

Mike Wood Excerpts
Wednesday 19th December 2018

(5 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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The hon. Lady has made her point with force and in her own way, and I thank her for doing so; she is perfectly in order, and it is now on the record.

Mike Wood Portrait Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)
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On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The guidance that you issued to Members earlier in the week drew attention to both the need for temperate language and the provisions around misogynistic language as part of the respect policy. If these rules do not apply to the Leader of the Opposition, what protection can Members’ staff and staff of the House expect where behaviour is not broadcast live on international television?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. The simple answer is that the rules apply to every right hon. and hon. Member of the House. That is the factual answer. I can do nothing other than provide the factual answer, but I thank him for what he has said.