AN ENGLISH Tory MP was snubbed from making a virtual contribution to Parliament after being judged to be dressed too casually.
Conservative Jonathan Gullis had been set to address the Commons from home during a debate on support for businesses and individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the Stoke-on-Trent North MP was skipped on the order paper by Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing after appearing without adhering to the proper dress code.
Gullis was able to make his virtual contribution to Parliament after sourcing a jacket to wear.
During the debate, Gullis appeared on screen with Dame Eleanor telling the Commons: “We now go to… we now go… no, I don’t think we do go to Stoke-on-Trent, the honourable gentleman [Gullis] has to be dressed as if he were here in the chamber.
“So we will not go to Stoke-on-Trent, we will try to come back to Gullis in due course, but we will go now to Chesterfield, [with Labour MP] Toby Perkins.”
Perkins said: “Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker, you’ll see I’ve got all my clothes on and I’m sure you’d be pleased to know it.”
READ MORE: Tory MP Jonathan Gullis forced to apologise after media attack
Following the contribution of Mr Perkins, Dame Eleanor returned to Gullis, who appeared once again on screen, but had by this time put on a jacket.
She said: “We are now going back to Stoke-on-Trent, where I observe that the honourable gentleman is now properly dressed.
“Lest anyone should be confused, when people are participating virtually then they are appearing in this chamber, the chamber of the House of Commons, and therefore it is absolutely imperative that everybody taking part in these debates should be dressed in the way that they would be in the House of Commons.”
Having been called to speak, Gullis said: “Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker, the jacket is now on! Apologies.”
In the coming weeks, only subscribers will be able to comment on The National articles. Subscribe now or log in to make sure you stay a part of the conversation.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions. What should we do with our second vote in 2021? What happens if Westminster says no to indyref2?
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversation, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. We’ve had hundreds of emails from you complaining about this, asking us to take steps to ensure that these people aren’t given a platform on our site.
We’re listening to you, and here’s how we plan to make that happen.
We have decided to make the ability to comment only available to our 10,000 paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them.
We’ll be monitoring this change over the first few weeks, and we’re keen to know your thoughts. Email us at letters@thenational.scot if you want to have your say.
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Last Updated:
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Report This Comment