Coulson 'not a matter for Commons'
By Tony Grew - 21st January 2011
You can't blame him for trying.
Labour MP Denis MacShane was clearly not engaged enough with today's debate on Greg Knight's 'Estates of Deceased Persons (Forfeiture Rule and Law of Succession) Bill'.
He rose on a point of order.
"We are being informed by television that Mr Andy Coulson, one of the most important figures in Her Majesty’s government and one of the prime minister’s closest aides, is now resigning," he began.
Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was already looking restless.
MacShane continued:
"As the House is sitting, I believe that it would be appropriate for the prime minister to come to the Commons, explain why that is happening and give the public the full details here in the House of Commons, rather than burying the news on a day when, frankly, an awful lot of other news is taking place."
He tried to continue but Hoyle, who has won praise from all sides in recent weeks for his calm but tough performances in the chair, was having none of it.
"That is not a point of order as the right hon gentleman, who has long been a member of this House, knows," Mr Deputy Speaker said.
He added: "The fact that a member of the prime minister's staff has resigned has nothing to do with the House."
At this point Knight tried to get in on the act and cheekily suggested a joint statement including the departure of Alan Johnson yesterday.
Hoyle cut him off too, and said that also has "absolutely nothing to do with this House".
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