Jeremy Hunt told off for 'fiddling ostentatiously' with phone during debate on cutting nurses' bursaries
Health Secretary called 'discourteous' by Speaker for using electronic device
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jeremy Hunt and other Conservative front benchers have been scolded by the Speaker of the House of Commons for "fiddling" with their mobile phones during a debate in Parliament.
John Bercow said the behaviour was "rank discourteous" when he caught the Health Secretary and his colleagues looking at their gadgets at the beginning of a discussion over NHS bursaries.
Mr Bercow said: "I do very gently say that to sit on the bench... fiddling ostentatiously with an electronic device defies the established convention of the house that such devices should be used without impairing parliamentary decorum. They are impairing parliamentary decorum.
"It's a point so blindingly obvious that only an extraordinarily clever and sophisticated person could fail to grasp it.
When the Deputy Leader of the House Therese Coffey appeared to continue pressing buttons on her phone, Mr Bercow shouted: "Put the device away, and if you don't want to put it away, get out of the house. I'm telling her its discourteous to continue, a point most people would understand."
Parliamentary legislature from 2007 states that: "Hand-held electronic devices (not laptops) may be used in the Chamber, provided that they are silent, and used in a way that does not impair decorum."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments