MPs warned not to ‘inflame’ gender debate after accusations of misinformation

MPs need to be careful about the way they speak, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said after a Tory MP was accused of spreading misinformation about the debate surrounding the Scottish Government’s gender reforms.

Stoke on Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis suggested people involved in the debate over Holyrood’s gender recognition reforms were facing “violent abuse” from members of the House of Commons and the Scottish Parliament.

In the Commons, Sir Lindsay said MPs need to “think long and hard” about how they speak in the chamber as their language “can be reflected in a way that I do not wish to see”.

He asked: “Does the Secretary of State agree with me this is simply about protecting young girls and women to their right to having safety in single-sex spaces, and this politicisation of that is an absolute abomination?”

Mr Jack replied: “Well, it is. It is also about protecting the devolution settlement and two UK-wide acts.”

Raising a point of order, SNP MP Amy Callaghan (East Dunbartonshire) later said: “I seek your advice as to what options are open to correct the record after the member for Stoke on Trent North, who is no longer in his place, spread misinformation in his question that people in this House and in Holyrood are inciting violence on the issue of the GRR (Gender Recognition Reform Bill).”

The Commons Speaker added: “Nothing should inflame the tensions that will already be running high.

“I thank her for raising that point with me. I do say to all members, please think long and hard before you speak because messages that you say in this House can be reflected in a way that I do not wish to see.”

The debate was marked by high tempers, with MPs often shouting across others during speeches they disagreed with.