Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointments and Regional Rates) Bill

Debate between Natascha Engel and Alasdair McDonnell

2nd reading: House of Commons
Monday 24th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Dr McDonnell]

We risk getting into whataboutery. In fact, we are probably deeply into whataboutery. I just want to put on the record that at the time I was very critical, publicly and aggressively, of the murder of Robert—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Natascha Engel)]

Order. We are in danger of ranging far outside the Second Reading of the Bill and getting bogged down into specifics about individual parties. I understand why and where that is coming from, but if we could keep more closely to the Bill, that would be fantastic.

[Dr McDonnell]

Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker, but allegations were made and I felt that I had to refute them. I will leave it at that and perhaps sort it out with the right hon. Gentleman privately. [Hon. Members: “Ooh!”] We can sort it out over a cup of tea.