Top Tory MP ejected from Chamber as tensions reach boiling point
A senior Tory MP was ejected from Prime Minister’s Questions in dramatic scenes, as tensions in the Commons reached boiling point. While Sir Keir Starmer was answering a question about disability funding in schools, the Speaker interjected in order to ask Tory frontbencher Richard Holden to calm down.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle quipped: “Mr Holden, as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, you’ll be getting the express train and you’ll be out of here!” Resuming at the Despatch Box, Sir Keir added: “He’s making himself the next candidate for the Thursday defection. Those that shout loudest end up over there,” referring to how Robert Jenrick was shouting from the Conservative benches at last week’s PMQs, only to switch to Nigel Farage‘s Reform a day later.
Lindsay Hoyle booted out an MP (Image: Sky News)
Riled up yet again, Mr Holden was told to leave by the Speaker.
Sir Lindsay sternly added: “I’ve had enough.”
Richard Holden, the MP for Basildon and Billericay, was then seen walking out of the chamber amid loud heckling, before bowing to the Speaker’s chair before departing.
Richard Holden leaving the chamber (Image: Parliament Live)
The disruption and chaos meant that Sir Keir managed to entirely avoid answering a question from Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst, who robustly challenged the PM over special educational needs funding in his constituency.
The East Yorkshire MP blasted: “Now the PM may be aware that my local authority in the East Riding of Yorkshire is the lowest funded per pupil for special educational needs and disabilities, and that his local authority in Camden is the highest.
“An inequality he has repeatedly pledged to end. Well, Mr Speaker, the results are in: next year children in my local area will receive just under £1,000; children in his local area will receive over £3,800. The gap is getting wider.
“So can the Prime Minister explain to the House why he thinks children in my constituency are worth so much less than the children in his?”
