2024-10-31
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, has reportedly forbidden questions in Parliament about the not so recent "terror" event in Southport while criminal proceedings are ongoing.
(Some may differ as to whether the descriptor "terror" may or may not be appropriate, but search engines don't seem to disagree)
But free speech in Parliament is not subject to the same rules as free speech outside Parliament - MPs are generally unrestrained. Indeed, according to Parliament's own web-site:
"Freedom of speech found statutory form in article 9 of the Bill of Rights 1689: 'Freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament' "
Therefore Sir Lindsay's decision is entirely a matter for Parliament, rather than for the Courts.
The practical problem lies with the timescales - whilst a one month of delay may be acceptable, is it appropriate to gag the House for say six months, or however long the legal proceedings may take?
Read the Parliamentary Guidance. Make up your own mind.
(2 minutes)
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