THE speaker of the House of Commons has called for whoever leaked details of England’s second lockdown to the media to apologise for their “unacceptable” behaviour.
Lindsay Hoyle, who has held the speaker role since November last year, made the calls ahead of Boris Johnson’s statement to parliament about the second lockdown.
The Prime Minister had been due to make the announcement about a second lockdown today, but a leak to the media on Friday evening necessitated a hastily arranged statement on Saturday.
The Times, The Daily Mail, and The Telegraph all reported on the lockdown ahead of the knowledge being presented to MPs.
Prime Minister Johnson insisted the link had not come from No10, and said the Government had “launched an inquiry to catch the culprit".
Michael Gove yesterday denied he was the source of the leak, but said the inquiry would find out who it had been.
READ MORE: WATCH: Stumbling Michael Gove denies leaking Covid lockdown to press
The Telegraph reported that insiders are “furious” that the plans were leaked, and according to Sky News the Government is “having to change plans”.
Speaking today, Hoyle said he regretted the leak and called for the culprit to make a full apology.
He said: “I regret that the main elements of the Prime Minister’s statement were announced over the weekend.
“I understand that the statement was due to be made today, but was brought forward due to the leaks to the media.”
Hoyal said both the Prime Minister and Leader of the House had gone to “great lengths” to reassure him the leak had not come from Downing Street, and that he expected the house to be kept updated on the ongoing inquiry.
He added: “I also hope that if the leaker is identified, and if a member of this house, that member will make a full apology to the house for discourteous and unacceptable behaviour.”
This leak is the latest in a long line of communication problems from the current UK Government.
In September, the Speaker of the House of Commons accused Health Secretary Matt Hancock of "running this chamber ragged" by not giving Parliament details of changes in restrictions before the media.
In October, some Greater Manchester MPs were left to find out about their area’s lockdown from Twitter.
More recently, the devolved governments were left to find out about the extended furlough scheme from the television.
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