- Written by Sam Francis
- BBC News political reporter
WATCH: Mr Abbott stood up 46 times to get the Speaker's attention
Diane Abbott accused the Speaker of the House of Commons of failing democracy by not allowing her to speak in a debate focused on comments made about her.
Wednesday's 30-minute Prime Minister's Questions was dominated by a purported remark by a Tory donor who said Mr Abbott had made him “want to hate all black women”.
The MP repeatedly tried to question the Prime Minister but was not selected.
A spokesperson for the Speaker said he was “running out of time” to call Mr Abbott.
Rishi Sunak has repeatedly rejected calls from MPs to repay Frank Hester's £10m donation to the Conservative Party, saying Mr Hester blamed Mr Abbott for “hating all black women”. He is reported to have said, “I should be shot.''
The Prime Minister said Mr Hester's comments were “wrong” and “racist”, but said the businessman had apologized and “remorse should be accepted”.
Mr Abbott was on the Opposition bench during each week's session but never got a chance, despite standing to catch the Speaker's attention at least 46 times.
Mr Abbott later said in a social media post that Sir Lindsay Hoyle had failed both the House of Commons and democracy.
“I don’t know whose interests the chairman thinks he is serving,” she added.
Ms Abbott subsequently wrote an op-ed for the Guardian, saying of the Speaker: “After considering what was stated in the order, he claimed that he did not have enough time.
“But I'm not convinced. And the truth is, he can call anyone he wants.”
MPs fill out ballots to ask questions at PMQs, which is considered the highlight of parliamentary week. However, the Speaker also has the discretion to select additional members, who can stand up or move up and down to signal that they wish to ask questions of the Prime Minister.
A spokesperson for the Speaker said: “During the Prime Minister's questions, the Speaker must alternate members from either side of the House to ensure impartiality.”
“This will be done within a limited time and the Chair will prioritize those members already on the order. This week – as is often the case – we do not have sufficient time to call all members who wish to ask questions. Ta.”
Before the debate, Mr Abbott said Mr Hester's alleged comment that he needed to be “shot” was “horrifying”.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn both raised Mr Hester's alleged comments against the Prime Minister.
At the end of the debate, Mr Abbott, who was not asked to speak, was seen shaking his head.
Labor MP Charlotte Nicholls said the Speaker's decision was “really poor”.
“If Diane wanted to speak, she should have been given the opportunity to speak, not just be spoken to,” Nichols said in a social media post.
During the debate, another Labor MP, Stella Creasy, posted on social media: “There would be something very wrong if that were the case.” [Ms Abbott’s] I can't hear you today. ”
A Labor Party spokesperson echoed those comments, saying after the debate that it would have been good for the House to hear from Mr Abbott.
Mr Abbott has since apologized for a letter he sent to the Observer in April 2023, in which he said Irish, Jewish and Traveler people were not subject to racism “for life”. ing. She retracted her statement and apologized “for any distress caused.”
At the end of PMQs, Sir Keir and Mr Flynn, along with Labor backbenchers, approached Mr Abbott at the back of the chamber.
During the conversation, Ms Abbott reportedly repeatedly called on Sir Keir to reinstate the party whip. He reportedly responded, “I understand.''
Mr Abbott, who is now an independent MP after being suspended by Labor, had previously called for “the public's support for Keir Starmer” following Mr Hester's comments.
