An MP was last night accused of swearing at a House of Commons doorkeeper during voting.
The incident occurred as MPs voted on Lords' amendments to the Government's Rwanda Bill. But the MP involved, Clive Lewis, denied swearing at anyone in particular.
At first, it was unclear who had been involved in the incident, with Deputy Speaker Sir Roger Gale warning of "severe" consequences if it was established.
Gale said: "Before we proceed, I’m informed a member swore at one of the doorkeepers this evening, who on my instructions locked the doors. If that person is identified, the consequences will be very severe.”
An MP was last night accused of swearing at a House of Commons doorkeeper during voting.
The remarks triggered cheering from MPs on both sides of the chamber.
Moments later, Labour MP Clive Lewis admitted to the offence, apologising for the "outburst" but denied swearing at anyone in particular.
He explained: "I received a message which caused me some consternation and surprise, to which I made an outburst in general to no-one specifically”.
"If I could do it again I probably would have said something like ‘my giddy aunt’ rather than what did come out my mouth and for that I apologise - but just to clear the air and put on record the fact it was directed at no-one in particular."
Gale accepted his apology, telling the Commons: "I appreciate the hon. Gentleman’s candour in identifying himself and the fullness of his apology, which is accepted."
If MPs are found guilty of disorderly behaviour, they can be named by the Speaker and ordered to leave the chamber.
Last night, MPs voted to reject all ten Lord amendments to Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda asylum bill.
Among those amendments rejected include allowing courts to question Rwanda's safety and offering protections for asylum seekers claiming to be unaccompanied children.
Others included preventing the government from declaring Rwanda a safe country until a series of safeguards are implemented and exempting those who have worked with the British armed forces abroad from being deported to the African country.
Labour, the Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats voted to keep the 10 amendments.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The bill will return to the Lords later this week, where peers will decide whether to reinsert their amendments - a move which would slow down the passage of the bill and could furhter delay flights to Rwanda.
Yesterday, the PM's officail spokesperson said the Government wants flights to take off "by the Spring".
Downing Street also revealed that the Government has started to identify illegally arrived migrants who will be on the first flights to Kigali.
