Labour MP Dawn Butler barred from Commons for ‘liar’ rant
Labour MP Dawn Butler is barred from the House of Commons chamber for accusing Boris Johnson of ‘lying’ about Covid and making ‘poor people pay with their lives’
- Labour MP Dawn Butler launched a rant at the PM during a Commons debate
- The politician repeatedly branded Boris Johnson ‘liar’ and refused to withdraw
- She was then ordered to leave the chamber by the stand-in deputy Speaker
A Labour MP was dramatically barred from the Commons chamber this afternoon after repeatedly branding Boris Johnson a ‘liar’.
Dawn Butler was told to leave by the chair after delivering an extraordinary rant about how ‘poor people have paid with their lives’ because of the PM ‘misleading the House’.
She accused Mr Johnson of lying over his claim that the UK has ‘severed the link between [Covid] infection and serious disease and death’.
The former frontbencher was asked to withdraw her remarks – which flouted parliamentary etiquette rules – by fellow Labour MP Judith Cummins, who was presiding over the session.
But she flatly refused to do so, insisting she had thought about it and still felt the same way. It forced the temporary Deputy Speaker to eject her – and she will also lose a day’s pay.
Dawn Butler was told to leave by the chair after delivering an extraordinary rant about how ‘poor people have paid with their lives’ because of the PM ‘misleading the House’
The Brent Central MP mounted the protest during an education debate in the chamber today
Ms Butler was asked to withdraw her remarks – which flouted parliamentary etiquette rules – by fellow Labour MP Judith Cummins (pictured), who was presiding over the session
The Brent Central MP mounted the protest during a general debate before the Commons went into recess.
‘Poor people in our country have paid with their lives because the Prime Minister has spent the last 18 months misleading this House and the country over and over again,’ Ms Butler said.
During PMQ’s on July 7, Mr Johnson said: ‘Scientists are absolutely clear that we have severed the link between [Covid] infection and serious disease and death.’
Ms Butler highlighted the disputed claim made by the Prime Minister, saying: ‘Not only is this not true Madam Deputy Speaker but it is dangerous, and it’s dangerous to lie in a pandemic.’
She added: ‘I am disappointed the Prime Minister has not come to the House to correct the record and correct the fact that he has lied to this House and the country over and over again.’
Ms Cummins intervened and said: ‘Order! Order! I’m sure that the member will reflect on her words she’s saying and perhaps correct the record.’
Ms Butler – known as ‘Red Dawn’ for her left-wing views – stalked out of the chamber after pulling her stunt this afternoon
Ms Butler replied: ‘What would you rather – a weakened leg or a severed leg? At the end of the day the Prime Minister has lied to this House time and time again.
‘It’s funny that we get in trouble in this place for calling out the lie rather than the person lying.’
Ms Cummins intervened again and urged Ms Butler to ‘reflect’ on her words and withdraw them.
Ms Butler replied: ‘I’ve reflected on my words and somebody needs to tell the truth in this House that the Prime Minister has lied.’
Ms Cummins then read out a statement in which she ordered Ms Butler to ‘withdraw immediately from the House for the remainder of the day’s sitting’.
Ms Butler left her seat and exited the chamber.
