LETTING extremists disrupt democracy is a “very slippery slope”, Rishi Sunak has warned the embattled Commons Speaker tonight.
The PM rebuked Sir Lindsay Hoyle for “bending” to intimidation during a crunch debate on a ceasefire in Gaza.
Sir Lindsay today insisted he was only “guilty” of trying to keep politicians safe as he fought to keep his job.
Some 67 Tory and SNP MPs have signed a no confidence motion calling for him to quit over Wednesday’s chaotic debate on a Gaza ceasefire.
The PM said Sir Lindsay’s handling of the vote was “very concerning” and that bending Commons rules to appease protester intimidation was “a very slippery slope”.
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Many politicians have faced abuse since the Israel-Hamas conflict, which the Speaker insists was the reason behind his controversial decision to allow a Labour ceasefire vote.
But Mr Sunak warned: “We should never let extremists intimidate us into changing the way in which Parliament works.
“Parliament is an important place for us to have these debates. And just because some people may want to stifle that with intimidation or aggressive behaviour, we should not bend to that and change how Parliament works.”
But he stopped short of calling for Sir Lindsay to quit, with ministers instead turning their fire on Sir Keir Starmer who they claim applied undue pressure.
The Labour leader “categorically” denied nobbling the Speaker in a backroom deal to avoid the embarrassment of many of his own MPs voting for an SNP ceasefire bid.
She said: “We have seen into the heart of Labour's leadership. Nothing is more important than the interests of the Labour Party.”
But Tory Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt blamed him - and not Sir Lindsay - for the “shameful events” that unfolded in the chamber.
Cabinet Minister Michael 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.
"That is the issue. And 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."
Sir Lindsay yesterday repeated his apology for sparking chaos yet insisted he had acted to keep MPs safe.
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He said: “I have a duty of care and if my mistake is looking after members, I am guilty.”
But he failed to defuse the row as SNP leader Stephen Flynn said his party had lost all confidence in him.
Mr Flynn - the head of the third largest party - remained incensed that his Opposition Day debate was allowed to be “hijacked” by Labour.
Scotland Yard were criticised for standing by while protesters shouted “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” outside Parliament.
Tory MP Andrew Percy said it was a “genocidal chant” and lashed out at the police.
He said: “That message says no Jew is welcome in the state of Israel or in that land. This is going to continue happening because we’re not dealing with it.”
