PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Points of Order - 25 February 2025 (Commons/Commons Chamber)

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. During the statement on defence and security, the leader of the Scottish National party, the right hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Stephen Flynn), described Reform UK MPs as Putin’s puppets and said that they were missing from the Chamber during the statement. That is not true. I was present for the Prime Minister’s statement, left for a comfort break and returned for the rest of the session. In fact, I have been in this Chamber for nearly four hours today. Funnily enough, when I returned to the Chamber, the leader of the SNP and his MPs were not actually present. The leader of the SNP has misled the House and should apologise, if you can find him.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order, although it was slightly longer than what he provided notice of. I have no doubt that he let the right hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Stephen Flynn) know that he would be speaking about him. The hon. Member should know that it is not appropriate to accuse other Members of misleading the House. As ever, it is vital that Members in all parts of the House maintain good temper and moderation in debate.

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Many people will have become aware of the recent controversy regarding the BBC’s decision to broadcast on its iPlayer service the documentary “Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone”. It only withdraw it after public outcry. It featured the son of a Hamas deputy Minister, and there has been the further revelation in the past 24 hours that the cameraman on the film put up a celebratory tweet after the 7 October massacre. The Culture Secretary has already indicated publicly that she wants to speak to the director general of the BBC about this outrageous lack of due diligence, but has she indicated to the Speaker’s Office that she intends to make a statement to the House, to allow right hon. and hon. Members to seek further clarification and get answers for the wider public?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. I have not received any indication that a Minister intends to make a statement to the House on this matter, but Department for Culture, Media and Sport questions will be on Thursday, and I am sure that the Table Office can advise him on how to pursue this matter further.

BILL PRESENTED

Crime and Policing Bill

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Secretary Yvette Cooper, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Secretary Steve Reed, the Solicitor General and Dame Diana Johnson, presented a Bill to make provision about anti-social behaviour, offensive weapons, offences against people (including sexual offences), property offences, the criminal exploitation of persons, sex offenders, stalking and public order; to make provision about powers of the police, the Border Force and other similar persons; to make provision about confiscation; to make provision about the police; to make provision about terrorism and national security, and about international agreements relating to crime; to make provision about the criminal liability of bodies; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 187) with explanatory notes (Bill 187-EN).