Lindsay Hoyle In Turmoil As Critical MPs Call For Him To Go

Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle is under growing pressure from critics to resign after more than 50 MPs signed a no confidence motion over his handling of an opposition day debate calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Hoyle apologised on Tuesday evening following significant backlash to his unusual decision to select both Labour and Government amendments to the SNP's ceasefire motion. Ordinarily a Government amendment would take precedent, but Hoyle said he believed it was important for MPs to be able "to consider the widest possible range of options," including Labour's call for an “immediate ceasefire” which was “observed by all sides”.

PoliticsHome understood the Speaker’s decision was motivated by a desire to protect the safety of MPs who have faced threats over Labour's hesitance on explicitly calling for a ceasefire until now. A series of protests took place outside the Commons on Wednesday as MPs debated the motion. 

Barry Sheerman, Labour MP for Huddersfield, told the Commons on Thursday that like many of his colleagues he had faced death threats because of the positions he has taken as an MP. He said he was mindful of his safety and did not stand near the edge of tube platforms for that matter. 

Hoyle was in the chamber on Thursday morning despite growing calls from Tory and SNP MPs for him to stand down. So far 56 Conservative backbenchers and SNP MPs have signed Tory MP William Wragg's non-binding motion of no confidence in the Speaker. They include MPs such as Sir Graham Brady, Danny Kruger, Miriam Cates, Matt Warman and Lee Anderson.

Earlier this week the SNP put forward an opposition day motion calling for "an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel". It specifically stated a desire to see an "end to the