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MPs allege bullying during chaotic fracking vote MPs allege bullying during chaotic fracking vote
(31 minutes later)
WATCH: 'That looked like bullying to me' - Chris BryantWATCH: 'That looked like bullying to me' - Chris Bryant
WATCH: 'That looked like bullying to me' - Chris BryantWATCH: 'That looked like bullying to me' - Chris Bryant
Conservative MPs were bullied and manhandled into backing Liz Truss in a vote on fracking, according to MPs who witnessed the scenes.Conservative MPs were bullied and manhandled into backing Liz Truss in a vote on fracking, according to MPs who witnessed the scenes.
Ministers denied claims physical force had been used to persuade colleagues to vote with the government, who won the vote by a majority of 96.Ministers denied claims physical force had been used to persuade colleagues to vote with the government, who won the vote by a majority of 96.
But Labour MP Chris Bryant called for an inquiry into what "looked like bullying". But Labour MP Chris Bryant said what he saw was "clear bullying".
Some 40 Tory MPs did not take part in the vote, including the prime minister. House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he had ordered an investigation into the incident.
There had been suggestions earlier that Chief Whip Wendy Morton and her deputy had left their roles. Wednesday's vote followed confusion over whether it amounted to a motion of confidence in the government.
However, the government has confirmed that both MPs are staying in post. Labour had tried to use the vote to force the introduction of a law to ban fracking.
One furious Tory MP described the chaotic events as a "shambles and a disgrace". Tory whips, who are responsible for discipline in the parliamentary party, ordered their MPs to vote against the motion or face being suspended, with the government telling them it was a test of confidence in Ms Truss.
Backbencher Charles Walker was visibly angry as he told the BBC: "This whole affair is inexcusable. It is a pitiful reflection on the Conservative Parliamentary Party at every level." But just minutes before the vote, climate minister Graham Stuart rowed back on this at the despatch box where he suggested it was not a vote of confidence.
He said he was "livid" and there was "no coming back" for the government, describing the situation as an "absolute disgrace". Chaotic scenes in the voting lobby followed, as whips tried to get Tory MPs to oppose the Labour motion.
"All those people that put Liz Truss in No 10, I hope it was worth it," he added. There had been suggestions earlier that Chief Whip Wendy Morton and her deputy had left their roles. However, the government has confirmed that both MPs are staying in post.
Mr Walker, MP for Broxbourne since 2005, said he was leaving parliament voluntarily at the next general election but warned that "many hundreds" of Conservative MPs would lose their seats "unless we get our act together and behave like grown-ups".
Speaking later to the BBC Radio 4's World Tonight, he said: "I expect the prime minister to resign very soon because she's not up to her job."
Live updates: Braverman quits amid chaotic scenes in Parliament
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When asked about allegations made by MPs, Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg told Sky News that to "characterise it as bullying was mistaken".When asked about allegations made by MPs, Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg told Sky News that to "characterise it as bullying was mistaken".
Mr Bryant spoke in the House of Commons after Labour lost a vote on banning fracking despite a Tory rebellion.Mr Bryant spoke in the House of Commons after Labour lost a vote on banning fracking despite a Tory rebellion.
He said MPs should be able to vote "without fear or favour", saying "we want to stand up against bullying".He said MPs should be able to vote "without fear or favour", saying "we want to stand up against bullying".
Clarifying what he said he saw at last night's vote, Mr Bryant told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it was "very aggressive, very angry", describing it as "clear bullying and intimidation".Clarifying what he said he saw at last night's vote, Mr Bryant told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it was "very aggressive, very angry", describing it as "clear bullying and intimidation".
"I saw a whole swathe of MPs effectively pushing one member straight through the door. I've seen photographic evidence of one MP's hand on another," he said."I saw a whole swathe of MPs effectively pushing one member straight through the door. I've seen photographic evidence of one MP's hand on another," he said.
"I have never seen scenes like that. All of this is happening because there is complete chaos in government.""I have never seen scenes like that. All of this is happening because there is complete chaos in government."
He added that Tory MPs, including one whip, were "literally crying on my shoulder".He added that Tory MPs, including one whip, were "literally crying on my shoulder".
Labour had tried to use the vote to force the introduction of a law to ban fracking. Live updates: Braverman quits amid chaotic scenes in Parliament
Tory whips ordered their MPs to vote against the motion or face being suspended, telling them it was a test of confidence in Ms Truss. Shapps replaces Braverman as home secretary
But the process was thrown into confusion at the last minute when Climate Minister Graham Stuart suggested it was not a confidence vote. Why are you still here, Starmer asks Truss
One furious Tory MP described the events as a "shambles and a disgrace".
Backbencher Charles Walker was visibly angry as he told the BBC: "This whole affair is inexcusable. It is a pitiful reflection on the Conservative Parliamentary Party at every level."
He said he was "livid" and there was "no coming back" for the government, describing the situation as an "absolute disgrace".
"All those people that put Liz Truss in No 10, I hope it was worth it," he added.
Mr Walker, MP for Broxbourne since 2005, said he was leaving parliament voluntarily at the next general election but warned that "many hundreds" of Conservative MPs would lose their seats "unless we get our act together and behave like grown-ups".
Speaking later to the BBC Radio 4's World Tonight, he said: "I expect the prime minister to resign very soon because she's not up to her job."
WATCH: 'I've had enough of talentless people' - Charles WalkerWATCH: 'I've had enough of talentless people' - Charles Walker
WATCH: 'I've had enough of talentless people' - Charles WalkerWATCH: 'I've had enough of talentless people' - Charles Walker
Chaotic scenes in the voting lobby followed, as whips tried to get Tory MPs to oppose the Labour motion.
The government won the vote by 326 votes to 230 - a government majority of 96.The government won the vote by 326 votes to 230 - a government majority of 96.
The list on Parliament's website, which shows how MPs vote, reveals that 40 Conservative MPs did not take part, including Ms Truss and Chief Whip Wendy Morton.The list on Parliament's website, which shows how MPs vote, reveals that 40 Conservative MPs did not take part, including Ms Truss and Chief Whip Wendy Morton.
Labour shadow minister Anna McMorrin wrote on Twitter that she witnessed one Conservative MP "in tears" in the lobby after the vote.Labour shadow minister Anna McMorrin wrote on Twitter that she witnessed one Conservative MP "in tears" in the lobby after the vote.
Ms McMorrin tweeted: "Extraordinary stuff happening here during the vote on fracking which is apparently 'not a confidence vote'.Ms McMorrin tweeted: "Extraordinary stuff happening here during the vote on fracking which is apparently 'not a confidence vote'.
"I've just witnessed one Tory member in tears being manhandled into the lobby to vote against our motion to continue the ban on fracking.""I've just witnessed one Tory member in tears being manhandled into the lobby to vote against our motion to continue the ban on fracking."
Labour's shadow secretary of state for Scotland, Ian Murray, said he witnessed "whips screaming at Tories" and described it as "open warfare".Labour's shadow secretary of state for Scotland, Ian Murray, said he witnessed "whips screaming at Tories" and described it as "open warfare".
However, in a tweet one Conservative MP Alexander Stafford pushed back against the claims, saying he had a "frank and robust conversation outside the voting lobbies confirming my opposition to fracking, with members of the government, nothing more".However, in a tweet one Conservative MP Alexander Stafford pushed back against the claims, saying he had a "frank and robust conversation outside the voting lobbies confirming my opposition to fracking, with members of the government, nothing more".
"No one pushes me around," he added."No one pushes me around," he added.
The vote was the first parliamentary test of the government's fracking plans, but was never likely to overturn government policy, given the size of the Conservatives' majority.The vote was the first parliamentary test of the government's fracking plans, but was never likely to overturn government policy, given the size of the Conservatives' majority.