Michael Gove backs Lindsay Hoyle and says the ‘real issue’ is extremist thugs after Commons ceasefire chaos

MICHAEL Gove today came out to back under-fire Sir Lindsay Hoyle, insisting MPs should "respect the ref".

The Housing Secretary told The Sun that accusations of bias against the Commons Speaker isn't the "real issue".

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Instead, politicians should turn their rage towards extremist thugs threatening democracy.

Mr Gove said: "I don’t think this issue is really about the Speaker.

"If you're a government minister like me, you've got to respect the ref – even if you disagree with his decisions.

"I like Lindsay."

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The Housing Secretary added that "the thing I regret is that Keir Starmer is allowing himself and the Labour Party to be dictated by fear and intimidation".

The Speaker today confessed to being "guilty" of botching yesterday's debate on Gaza - but insisted it was all in a daring effort to protect MPs.

Sir Lindsay is facing growing calls to resign amid accusations he bent the rules to spare Sir Keir Starmer a backbench revolt over Gaza.

Some 59 MPs have now signed a no confidence motion telling the Speaker to quit.

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Rishi Sunak said the way in which Sir Lindsay changed the "usual ways in which Parliament works" was "very concerning" and said MPs should never be intimidated by thugs.

Speaking during a visit to North Wales, the PM said: "Now my understanding is that the Speaker has apologised for that and is going to reflect on what happened.

"But I think the important point here is that we should never let extremists intimidate us into changing the way in which Parliament works."

Mr Gove told The Sun: "We have a situation where MPs are being told that they have to vote a particular way, or they're going to face pressure from extremist groups.

"The issue is being able to say to extremists outside the House of Commons: get back.

"You are not going to force elected representatives to vote in a particular way because of your tactics, and because of your commitment to extremist causes."