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Speaker hits back in press gagging row

AMIR MAKAR/AFP via Getty Images

Rows in Parliament usually occur on the floor of the House of Commons, between opposing members of different sides. But a fresh storm is brewing elsewhere in the chamber, between the journalists who comprise the parliamentary press gallery and the man who occupies the Speakers’ Chair. After the grandstanding of the John Bercow era, Lindsay Hoyle was hailed by the lobby as a breath of fresh air when he was elected to the Speakership back in November 2019. 

But now two-and-a-half years on, there are signs that all is not well between Hoyle and members of the Fourth Estate. First, there was last month’s row over Angela Rayner’s legs, which prompted the Speaker to summon the Mail on Sunday’s editor to appear before him and explain the newspaper’s coverage. 

And now Private Eye has reported this week that ‘hacks at Westminster have established that at least ten of them have been called in for a post-publication ticking-off’ by the Speaker.

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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