Rhondda MP accused of ‘pulling faces’ in row with House of Commons Speaker

Rhondda MP Chris Bryant was accused of “disgraceful behaviour” by the Speaker of the House of Commons after what one MP said was a “face pulling and finger pointing contest”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was speaking when the Speaker, Linsday Hoyle, suddenly called out the Labour MP.

Labour MP, Chris Bryant, flees the chamber to avoid an admonishment by the Speaker. pic.twitter.com/5yIlOoc8uG

— Daniel Invictus (@DannyInvictus) December 9, 2020

“Order, Mr Bryant….Mr Bryant….?” When he did not appear, he said: “I suggest the whip goes and has a word with him. We’re not having that disgraceful behaviour.”

Speakers usually only ‘name’ MPs, rather than referring to them by constituency, when they are going to be disciplined.

‘Conversation’

One backbencher who was sat in the Commons told Politics Home that the row was about where Bryant was standing, allegedly infront of a door that had been left open for ventilation.

The MP said: “The speaker told him to move and he wouldn’t. They then had a face pulling and finger-pointing contest.”

Chris Bryant, who challenged Lindsay Hoyle for the Speaker role last year, appeared later at the left-hand side of the Speaker’s chair.

Hoyle again interrupted proceedings to say: “Mr Bryant I think we need this conversation later.” Bryant then left the chamber.