Lindsay Hoyle fumes at Labour over its Jackdaw announcement
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Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has accused Labour of treating MPs “appallingly” after Andy Burnham’s Government failed to update MPs on its Jackdaw gas field announcement before telling the media.
Sir Lindsay, who delivered his scathing verdict shortly after Prime Minister’s Questions, also berated Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh for failing to turn up in the House of Commons.
The Peckham MP sent her a junior energy minister in her place while she visited Shell UK’s St Fergus Gas Terminal in Aberdeenshire.
Addressing MPs in the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay said: “It is shameful that this announcement was not made to the House first, and it is an immense discourtesy to the House that the Secretary of State is not here to make the statement.
“I am sorry that Sky News is more important than Members on both sides. This treatment is appalling.”
He added: “I am sorry that he is having to take the flak for a Secretary of State who does not care about Members on this side or that side of the House—wherever.
“In the end, we are elected by our electorate to hear statements here, not via the media. Am I getting the message through, Minister?”
Energy Minister Michael Shanks stopped short of apologising to Sir Lindsay when called upon to deliver the Government’s response.
“I entirely respect your comments,” the Rutherglen MP said.
“I hope that in my time in this House, I have always given you the impression that I take this House seriously.
“Your points have been noted, and I will absolutely take them back to the Department.”
Ms Fahnbulleh, who was embroiled in a Cabinet row with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood over immigration earlier this week, took part in a set of media interviews to defend Labour’s controversial Jackdaw announcement.
However, Ed Miliband’s successor as Energy Secretary did not discuss Labour’s plans with GB News viewers this morning.
She instead opted to appear on BBC Radio Scotland, Sky News, BBC Breakfast, LBC, ITV’s Good Morning Britain and the BBC’s Today programme.
Labour’s Jackdaw announcement will see Shell and Norwegian state energy firm Equinor begin production after a fresh environmental assessment.
The gas field is situated 150 miles east of Aberdeen and is operated by Adura.
The decision is expected to increase domestic gas production by around six per cent at its peak.
However, Labour is now being forced to defend the decision amid mounting pressure from MPs and activists who argue it undermines Britain’s push towards net zero.
Ms Fahnbulleh said: “The decision is compatible with our legally binding climate commitments, and we remain resolute in ending new licences for oil and gas and achieving net zero by 2050.”
The Prime Minister also faced pressure to hand out more licences in the North Sea.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Britain cannot be a serious player on the world stage if the Government dither for two and a half years over approving a single licence.
“We have the resources, the expertise and the people; what we have lost is the confidence to make tough decisions.
“Will the Prime Minister now overturn Labour’s ban on all new oil and gas licences?”
Mr Burnham replied: “I can tell the House today that I have asked the Chancellor and the Energy Secretary to look at whether we can remove standing charges from gas bills and to report back to this House at the earliest opportunity.”
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