MPs accused over 'drink culture'
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.Those late-night sessions that used to be a feature of life in the House of Commons must never be reinstated because they encourage a "drink culture", a senior MP has warned.
Those late-night sessions that used to be a feature of life in the House of Commons must never be reinstated because they encourage a "drink culture", a senior MP has warned.
Barry Sheerman, who chaired the Commons education committee in the last Parliament, has made a formal complaint to the Speaker about the way Tory MPs disrupted a speech last week by the 37-year-old Secretary of State for Education, Ruth Kelly.
He claims that the disruption, just before 10pm on Tuesday, was carried out by MPs who had had a "good dinner" and were not in a fit state to drive themselves home.
Ms Kelly had to struggle to be heard over the constant noise of Tory MPs conducting conversations on the benches opposite. Several Tories also interrupted her with NHS questions, although Ms Kelly has never has been a health minister.
But Mr Sheerman's first attempt to register a formal complaint fell foul of a strict rule that MPs can never accuse their colleagues of being under the influence of drink.
Mr Sheerman told the Speaker: "There was an organised attempt to disrupt speeches."
He later told The Independent on Sunday: "I'm not saying that anyone was drunk. But you wouldn't have let them drive."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments