Ashfield MP Lee Anderson has left the House of Commons after calling the Prime Minister a liar.
The Reform politician made the comments during a session of questions to the PM on Monday, 20 April.
The Labour leader was facing scrutiny over his failure to sack Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States after the Lord failed vetting checks before resigning in the wake of his links to serial sex offender Jeffrey Epstein being exposed.
Talking about the matter, Anderson said: “The problem the Prime Minister has got is that no one believes him. The public do not believe him, the MPs on this side do not believe him, his own gullible backbenchers do not believe him – so does the Prime Minister agree with me that he has been lying?”
Accusing someone of lying is considered an “unparliamentary expression” according to the UK Parliament MPs’ Guide to Procedure.
It is defined as “any language which, taken in context, is intended to bring the House into disrepute or is insulting to another Member, particularly in respect of accusations of lying”.
The guidance says: “Failure to withdraw the statement can result in suspension by the Speaker in the House of Commons, and by the House in the Lords.”
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle gave Mr Anderson a chance to withdraw his comment.
He said: “Sorry, we do not use those words and I am sure the member has withdrawn it.”
He then waited for Mr Anderson to interject again.
But Anderson, pointing at the PM, said: “Mister Speaker, I have the greatest respect for you and your office, but I will not withdraw – that man could not lie straight in bed.”
The Speaker then said: “Mr Anderson, you will have to leave.”
