Commons speaker rebukes Wrekin MP

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard has clashed with Commons Speaker John Bercow after an earlier rebuke for his "untoward" behaviour.

Mr Pritchard sparked a further reprimand from Mr Bercow after claiming a minister had appeared to "prompt" the earlier rebuke.

The Speaker angrily denied this, insisting that to suggest he might be prompted was "wrong and unacceptable".

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Traditionally, MPs are not allowed to challenge the Speaker's rulings, even if they don't agree with them. The clash came after an emergency question on the BA strike in which Mr Bercow had clamped down on Tory MPs challenging ministers over Labour's funding links with the Unite union.

During those exchanges, Mr Pritchard said union leaders behind the BA strike should set an example and forgo "some of their £150,000 pay packet". There was "arch-hypocrisy" at the top of Unite.

Mr Bercow told him: "The question doesn't remotely relate to the issue we're considering."

As Mr Pritchard raised his hands in the air, Mr Bercow went on: "Order! I don't require any comment or signalling from you. I'm giving a ruling, you will listen to it and you can like it or lump it."

Later, in a point of order, Mr Pritchard said: "Moments ago you rebuked me, I think unfairly, but I stand by your ruling. However, after my question there was a pause, whereupon I saw the minister of state appear to prompt you. I'm sure that was not the case because of course you can rebuke me in your own right."

Mr Bercow retorted: "Let me deal with this very clearly and conclusively.

"I saw no sign whatsoever from any member of the Treasury bench (Government front bench) and for you to suggest that I would be prompted in this House, from the chair, by another Member, to make a comment or response is quite wrong and an unacceptable observation on your part.

"Let me very politely suggest to you, whose behaviour was untoward, that it would be sensible and rational of you simply to accept the rebuke, to call it a day, and to move on. That is the end of the matter."