MP who delayed Caesarean op to vote on Brexit deal enters Commons in wheelchair

A heavily pregnant MP who postponed a Caesarean section in order to vote on the Withdrawal Agreement was brought into the Commons in a wheelchair.

Labour’s Tulip Siddiq was wheeled into the chamber ahead of the first vote on Tuesday night, on an amendment brought by Tory MP John Baron for the UK to take unilateral powers to end controversial “backstop” arrangements.

The Hampstead & Kilburn MP could be seen in the chamber chatting to other MPs including fellow Labour MP Stella Creasy and Conservative Commons’ Leader Andrea Leadsom.

Earlier in the day Ms Siddiq, 36, had written on Twitter thanking people for support after her decision was first reported by the Evening Standard.

She said: “My decision to delay my baby’s birth is not one I take lightly.

“Let me be clear, I have no faith in the pairing system, in July the Govt stole the vote of a new mother.

SNP health spokeswoman Philippa Whitford said Ms Siddiq was due to have a Caesarean section because she has a “high risk” pregnancy and gestational diabetes.

Dr Whitford told the Commons on a point of order after the Brexit vote: “I have to say as a doctor to put our colleague at risk and her baby at risk because we cannot have a method of allowing those who are sick or pregnant (to vote) is disgraceful.”

Her decision came after controversy in the summer when Tory Chief Whip Julian Smith ordered Tory Party chairman Brandon Lewis to break a pairing agreement with Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson while she was on maternity leave during a crucial Brexit vote.

Pairing agreements are used when MPs cannot make it to the Commons for votes for medical and other reasons.

It means someone from the other side also does not vote to ensure there is no unfair advantage caused by their absence.

Theresa May later said Mr Smith had made an “honest mistake” and had apologised.