Who is Sir Lindsay Hoyle? Speaker scolds Kemi Badenoch over EU laws

Everything you need to know about the Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay
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Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle gave short shrift to Kemi Badenoch when the business secretary shared what he thought was a flippant response during a heated debate.

The pair clashed on Thursday after a question was asked over the minister’s so-called u-turn on the “bonfire” of EU laws.

Ms Badenoch had angered Mr Hoyle by announcing the change of policy in a written statement and not before the Commons - but she was requested back to the House by the Speaker to answer questions.

He said: “I would remind the government that we are elected to hear it first: not to read it in the Telegraph, and certainly not a WMS is satisfactory on such an important matter."

“Thank you, Mr Speaker,” Ms Badenoch began, “I am very sorry the sequencing we chose was not to your satisfaction...”

At that, some of the few MPs scattered around the Commons began to boo and jeer to which Mr Hoyle called for order and said her statement was “totally not acceptable”.

"Who do you think you are speaking to?” he said.

"I think we need to understand each other. I am the defender of this House and these benches on both sides. I am not going to be spoken to by a Secretary of State who is absolutely not accepting my ruling.

"Take it with good grace and accept it that members should hear it first. Not a Written Ministerial Statement or what you decide.

"These members have been elected by their constituents and they have the right to hear it first. It's time this government recognised we're all elected, we're all MPs, and use the correct manners."

Ms Badenoch apologised for her comment.

But, who is Sir Lindsay Hoyle? Here’s everything you need to know.

Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle
PA Wire

Who is Sir Lindsay Hoyle?

Sir Lindsay Hoyle was born in 1957 and attended his first Labour Party conference with his father, Doug, when he was just a young child.

From the age of seven, he was a regular on the campaign trail and delivered leaflets to help his father’s first attempts to stand as a councillor in Clitheroe as an MP. When Doug Hoyle secured the Nelson and Colne constituency in 1974, Lindsay’s political aspirations were consolidated.

At the age of 22, Sir Lindsay became the youngest councillor to serve Chorley when he was elected in 1980, then went on to become the deputy leader of Chorley Council, then Mayor of Chorley from 1997 - 1998.

In 1997, Sir Lindsay won the Chorley seat and was the first Labour MP to represent the constituency for 18 years.

In Parliament, Sir Lindsay served on the Trade & Industry Select Committee, and the European Scrutiny Committee and, in 2010, he was elected by fellow MPs to the position of Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means.

On November 4, 2019, he was elected as Speaker of the House, following John Bercow’s resignation.

Elsewhere, Sir Lindsay is a keen supporter and advocate of the Armed Forces and serves as Honorary Colonel of the 3 Medical Regiment.

He is also dedicated to strengthening and renewing the UK’s ties with Commonwealth groups of nations, and British Overseas Territories, according to his page on UK Parliament.

Sir Lindsay is also a family man, married to Catherine, with a daughter and two grandchildren. He is also a keen pet owner, and a fan of rugby, football, and cricket.

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