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The Yorks

Speaker of the House of Commons refers to Conservative MP as ‘Prince Andrew’

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, referred to a senior Conservative Party MP as Prince Andrew on Monday in the House of Commons chamber.

Graham Brady, the Chair of the influential 1922 Committee, was referred to as “Prince Andrew over there” when the Speaker was trying to calm an excited chamber due to high noise levels.

Mr Brady has a slight resemblance to the Duke of York, although many Tory MPs were not amused when the comment was made.

The incident occurred during a ministerial statement on school funding when Shadow Education Secretary, Angela Rayner, was speaking.

During her speech, many Conservative MPs were heckling from the backbenchers meaning the Shadow Secretary could not be heard.

Due to the noise levels, the Speaker had to intervene, and singled out Alex Chalk MP for his lack of composure during the statement.

In full, the Speaker said: “Order!

“There is a kind of group hysteria taking over.
“Mr Chalk! You’re usually a very understated fellow – rather a gentlemanly type I had always thought. Calm yourself!
“Oh! You are sitting next to a very senior member, Prince Andrew over there, who is the very embodiment of dignity.
“Anyway, I’m sure you will recover your composure in the minute.
“You should watch a few Federer matches – you will learn something about composure.”

The Speaker is well known for his novel interventions in debates and often singles out rather over-excited MPs who are causing a disturbance.

Mr Bercow was reelected as Speaker unopposed in June following the General Election.

He has held the office since 2009 and has overseen three different Prime Ministers at the Dispatch Box.