Michael Gove brands Labour’s Brexit policy ‘boll***s’

Michael Gove shocked MPs today as he repeatedly branded Labour’s Brexit policy ‘boll***s’.

The Environment Secretary deployed the swear word twice as he spoke during the debate on Theresa May’s deal.

But Speaker John Bercow dismissed complaints that the term breached conduct rules, saying it was a matter of ‘taste’.

Opening the debate in the House, Mr Gove highlighted that shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner had once used the swear work to refer to Labour’s six tests for a Brexit deal

Environment Secretary Michael Gove deployed the swear word twice as he spoke during the debate on Theresa May's deal (pictured)

Environment Secretary Michael Gove deployed the swear word twice as he spoke during the debate on Theresa May’s deal (pictured)

Mrs May was in Downing Street today to welcome Japanese premier Shinzo Abe for talks

Mrs May was in Downing Street today to welcome Japanese premier Shinzo Abe for talks

The spat came as MPs resumed discussion on the PM’s deal in the chamber today – amid fears that Parliament is locked in a ‘Mexican stand-off’ where every possible option for resolving the crisis is blocked.

Opening the debate in the House, Mr Gove highlighted that shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner had once been caught out privately using the swear word to refer to Labour’s six tests for a Brexit deal.

And he then pointed out that Mr Bercow’s wife Sally had a sticker saying ‘Boll***s to Brexit’ in her Land Rover. 

How could MPs try to block a no-deal Brexit? 

WRECKING BILLS 

To prepare for Brexit, several major laws must be passed between now and March 29 and any or all could be amended by MPs in a bid to stop no deal. 

CONTEMPT 

If ministers ignored motions for a second referendum or an extension of Article 50 they could, with the likely connivance of Speaker Bercow, be held in contempt of Parliament. Repeated contempt motions would be difficult, if not impossible, for ministers to ignore. 

NO CONFIDENCE 

If the Government repeatedly ignored parliamentary votes and a no deal Brexit appeared close, Labour could table a no-confidence motion, potentially triggering an election. 

‘I know, Mr Speaker, there are some distinguished citizens in this country who have put on their cars a poster or sticker saying boll***s to Brexit,’ Mr Gove said.

‘But we now know from Labour’s own frontbench that their official Brexit position is boll***s.’

Amid gasps and laughter in the chamber, Lib Dem Ed Davey interrupted to ask if Mr Bercow had made a new ruling on what language is suitable for parliament.

But Mr Bercow said he had ‘richly enjoyed’ Mr Gove’s speech.

‘Was it orderly? Yes,’ he said.

‘There was nothing disorderly about the using of the word.’

‘I think it is a matter of taste.’ 

Mr Bercow has been accused of throwing the Commons into chaos by ripping up the rule book.

But ministers and Tory Eurosceptics have voiced concerns about whether Mr Bercow can still be seen as ‘neutral’ after he ignored centuries of convention yesterday to make life more difficult for the government. 

The Speaker sparked extraordinary scenes when he defied the advice of officials to allow the amendment tabled by former attorney general Dominic Grieve.

 Mr Bercow said he had 'richly enjoyed' Mr Gove's speech and said use of the swear word was not disordely 

 Mr Bercow said he had ‘richly enjoyed’ Mr Gove’s speech and said use of the swear word was not disordely 

Making a business statement in the House, Mrs Leadsom (pictured) said Mr Bercow's actions were unacceptable because MPs were being treated differently

Making a business statement in the House, Mrs Leadsom (pictured) said Mr Bercow’s actions were unacceptable because MPs were being treated differently

Jeremy Corbyn used a speech in Yorkshire today (pictured) to demand a general election

Jeremy Corbyn used a speech in Yorkshire today (pictured) to demand a general election

Mr Gove pointed out that Mr Bercow's wife Sally had a sticker saying 'Boll***s to Brexit' in her Land Rover

Mr Gove pointed out that Mr Bercow’s wife Sally had a sticker saying ‘Boll***s to Brexit’ in her Land Rover

Seventeen Tory rebels, including Mr Grieve, joined forces with Labour, the SNP and the Liberal Democrats to defeat the Government by 308 votes to 297 – Mrs May’s second Commons defeat in 24 hours.  

Under the terms of the change, Mrs May must table a motion setting out her plan within three sitting days of her deal being rejected.  

But Downing Street indicated that does not believe the amendment requires the government to hold a vote.

Sources said the next showdown would not be held until later that week. They also claimed it will last just 90 minutes and only one amendment should be allowed to the motion – although senior figures conceded that Speaker John Bercow could again choose to ignore procedural conventions. 

The position from No10 could further inflame tensions with Remainer MPs, who have been accusing Mrs May of ‘running down the clock’ to Brexit day on March 29. 

Mr Bercow and Andrea Leadsom were involved in another extraordinary spat in the chamber as he denied abandoning his duty to be impartial.

Making a business statement in the House, the Cabinet minister said Mr Bercow’s actions were unacceptable because MPs were being treated differently.  

But a clearly furious Mr Bercow branded himself the ‘champion of Parliament’ – insisting he had not been ‘arbitrary’ and saying he did not need ‘lectures’.

‘I hope colleagues will understand when I say that I require no lessons or lectures from others about how to discharge my obligations to Parliament and in support of the rights of backbench Parliamentarians,’ he raged.

Mr Bercow added: ‘I have been doing it, I’m continuing to do it and I will go on doing it, no matter how much abuse I get from whatever quarter. It’s water off a duck’s back as far as I am concerned.’

Mr Gove pointed out that Mr Bercow's wife Sally had a sticker saying 'Boll***s to Brexit' in her Land Rover

Mr Gove pointed out that Mr Bercow’s wife Sally had a sticker saying ‘Boll***s to Brexit’ in her Land Rover

Mr Bercow was assailed by MPs after he flouted Commons procedure to call the amendment

Mr Bercow was assailed by MPs after he flouted Commons procedure to call the amendment

 

 

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