- By Sam Francis
- Political reporter, BBC News
Watch: Abbott stood up in an effort to catch the Speaker’s attention 46 times
Diane Abbott has accused the Commons Speaker of failing democracy by not allowing her to speak during a debate focused on remarks about her.
Alleged comments by a Tory donor that Ms Abbott made him “want to hate all black women” dominated Wednesday’s half-hour Prime Minister’s Questions.
The MP repeatedly tried to ask the prime minister a question but was not selected.
A spokesperson for the Speaker said he “ran out of time” to call Ms Abbott.
Rishi Sunak repeatedly rejected calls from MPs to pay back £10m in Tory donations from Frank Hester, who reportedly said Ms Abbott made him “want to hate all black women” and “should be shot”.
The PM said Mr Hester’s alleged comments were “wrong” and “racist” – but the businessman had apologised and his “remorse should be accepted”.
Ms Abbott was on the opposition benches during the weekly session, but did not get a chance despite standing to catch the Speaker’s eye at least 46 times.
In a social media post afterwards, Ms Abbott said Sir Lindsay Hoyle had failed both the Commons and democracy.
“I don’t know whose interests the Speaker thinks he is serving,” she added.
Writing in the Guardian later, Ms Abbott said of the Speaker: “He claimed there wasn’t enough time after going through those listed on the order paper.
“But I’m not convinced – and, the truth is, he can call on whoever he likes.”
MPs enter a ballot to ask a question at PMQs, which is seen as a highlight of the parliamentary week. But the Speaker also has discretion to choose additional MPs, who can rise – or bob – to signal they wish to pose the PM a question.
A spokesperson for the Speaker said: “During Prime Minister’s Questions, the Speaker must select MPs from either side of the House on an alternating basis for fairness.
“This takes place within a limited time frame, with the Chair prioritising members who are already listed on the order paper. This week – as is often the case – there was not enough time to call all members who wanted to ask a question.”
Before the debate, Ms Abbott said Mr Hester’s alleged comment that she needed “to be shot” was “frightening”.
Both Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Stephen Flynn, the SNP Westminster leader, raised Mr Hester’s alleged comments with the prime minister.
Once the debate was finished, Ms Abbott could be seen shaking her head after failing to be called to speak.
Labour MP Charlotte Nichols called the Speaker’s decision “really poor”.
In a social media post, Ms Nichols said: “If Diane wanted to speak, rather than being spoken for and about, she should have been given the opportunity to.”
During the debate, Stella Creasy – another Labour MP – posted on social media that there would be “something very wrong if [Ms Abbott’s] voice isn’t heard today”.
A Labour party spokesman echoed these comments saying after the debate “it would have been good for the House to have been able to hear from” Ms Abbott.
Ms Abbott has sat as an independent since April 2023 when she apologised for a letter she sent to the Observer, in which she wrote that Irish, Jewish and Traveller people were not subject to racism “all their lives”. She withdrew her remarks and apologised “for any anguish caused”.
As PMQs finished Sir Keir and Mr Flynn approached Ms Abbott at the back of the chamber, alongside a succession of Labour backbenchers.
During the conversation, Ms Abbott reportedly repeatedly asked Sir Keir to restore her party whip. He is reported to have responded: “I understand.”
Ms Abbott – who sits as an independent MP after being suspended by Labour – has previously called for “public support from Keir Starmer” in the wake of Mr Hester’s comments.
