𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to apologise to MPs for “contemptuous behaviour” at Prime Minister’s Questions. Tory frontbencher Jesse Norman claimed the Prime Minister had “ignored the question and changed the subject” in 23 out of his last 24 responses to Kemi Badenoch during their Wednesday clashes.

Responding, Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell said: “All prime ministers deal with PMQs in their own way.” Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle reprimanded Sir Keir during yesterday’s back-and-forth with Mrs Badenoch, before having words with him afterwards.

Sir Lindsay has repeatedly told Downing Street that answers in the Commons chamber should “be confined to the points contained in the question”, according to his office.

Mr Norman, the shadow Commons leader, said: “The last four PMQs have focused on the Iran war, fuel duty, North Sea oil and gas, and the defence review.

“Of the 24 responses given by the Prime Minister to the leader of the Opposition, 23 have ignored the question and changed the subject.

“Yesterday, we even saw the Prime Minister hectoring you, Mr Speaker, in your chair and on live television just for doing your job.

“That is a shameful record for which the Prime Minister should write to you, and therefore, by implication, to this House and apologise.

“This behaviour is contemptuous, Mr Speaker, of you, of the leader of the Opposition, but of us all, as MPs, now and in years gone by.”

A spokesperson for the Speaker’s Office said: “The Speaker is not responsible for the questions asked by members or the answers given by ministers.

“Questions to ministers should relate to matters for which they are officially responsible.

“Equally, answers should be confined to the points contained in the question.

“Every so often, the Speaker has to remind prime ministers and ministers of the rules of engagement in the Chamber.

“The Speaker has made this point to officials at No 10 on several occasions recently as well.”

Sir Keir’s official spokesman said: “I’m not going to comment beyond saying that the Prime Minister attended the House of Commons yesterday for Prime Minister’s Questions and gave comprehensive answers in the House on the topics that were raised.”