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| Speaker rejects mobile ring fines | |
| (1 day later) | |
| The Commons Speaker Michael Martin has refused an MP's plea to fine colleagues if mobile phones ring in the chamber. | The Commons Speaker Michael Martin has refused an MP's plea to fine colleagues if mobile phones ring in the chamber. |
| Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland proposed adopting a local council scheme where all fines go to charity. | Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland proposed adopting a local council scheme where all fines go to charity. |
| He was reacting to a fellow MP's phone ringing twice and interrupting Culture Secretary Andy Burnham while he was answering questions in the Commons. | He was reacting to a fellow MP's phone ringing twice and interrupting Culture Secretary Andy Burnham while he was answering questions in the Commons. |
| Although the Speaker said he was "powerless" to fine MPs, Mulholland plans to start an "informal protocol". | Although the Speaker said he was "powerless" to fine MPs, Mulholland plans to start an "informal protocol". |
| During the regular session of Culture, Media and Sport questions in the Commons, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham was repeatedly interrupted by a loud, piercing ringing echoing around the chamber. | During the regular session of Culture, Media and Sport questions in the Commons, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham was repeatedly interrupted by a loud, piercing ringing echoing around the chamber. |
| Eventually Mr Burnham stopped the answer he was giving and, eyeing the guilty, but nonetheless honourable member, said: "If anybody did that in his committee, Mr Speaker, I'm sure they would receive a stern rebuke from the chair." | Eventually Mr Burnham stopped the answer he was giving and, eyeing the guilty, but nonetheless honourable member, said: "If anybody did that in his committee, Mr Speaker, I'm sure they would receive a stern rebuke from the chair." |
| The comment was aimed at John Whittingdale the chair of the culture, media and sport select committee. | The comment was aimed at John Whittingdale the chair of the culture, media and sport select committee. |
| Mr Whittingdale's Blackberry had gone off and, as he did not use it as a phone, was unaware at first of how to turn the device off. | |
| It later became apparent that the person calling had the wrong number. | It later became apparent that the person calling had the wrong number. |
| Charity call | Charity call |
| Calling a point of order minutes later, Mr Mulholland, a former Leeds city councillor raised the subject of the interruption. | |
| He said: "Whilst accepting that we're all fallible in terms of the potential to leave our mobile phones on, may I recommend to the House a scheme in Leeds City Council whereby the Lord Mayor of Leeds fines a member of council who has his or her phone ring?" | |
| He added: "And may I suggest that the Speaker considers a suitable charity and introduces a similar scheme in this House?" | |
| I was talking about an informal protocol, not a serious thing Greg Mulholland MPLiberal Democrat | I was talking about an informal protocol, not a serious thing Greg Mulholland MPLiberal Democrat |
| To laughter in the Commons chamber, the Speaker responded: "I've no powers to fine honourable gentlemen or ladies for that matter". | |
| Leeds City Council have run the fining system for around five years and the current Lord Mayor Frank Robinson has chosen Andrea's Gift, a brain tumour research and support charity, to receive the donations. | Leeds City Council have run the fining system for around five years and the current Lord Mayor Frank Robinson has chosen Andrea's Gift, a brain tumour research and support charity, to receive the donations. |
| So far this year one person has been caught out by leaving their mobile phone on during a meeting and swiftly donated £20 to the charity as a result. | So far this year one person has been caught out by leaving their mobile phone on during a meeting and swiftly donated £20 to the charity as a result. |
| Lord Mayor Robinson told the BBC he thought the idea should be implemented. | Lord Mayor Robinson told the BBC he thought the idea should be implemented. |
| He said: "If MPs can't be bothered to switch off their mobile phones, then they deserve to have a penalty made on them. | He said: "If MPs can't be bothered to switch off their mobile phones, then they deserve to have a penalty made on them. |
| "Obviously you can't legislate against it - but on the other hand I don't think any MP would want to be shamed by the speaker saying he or she hadn't accepted the practice." | "Obviously you can't legislate against it - but on the other hand I don't think any MP would want to be shamed by the speaker saying he or she hadn't accepted the practice." |
| Speaking to the BBC, Mr Mulholland accepted that the Speaker clearly cannot budge on the matter, but said "I was talking about an informal protocol, not a serious thing". | |
| He added: "If I get caught out I will pay money to a charity - and if the speaker doesn't want to nominate one, I will find someone who will. It seems a particularly good natured way of dealing with this." | He added: "If I get caught out I will pay money to a charity - and if the speaker doesn't want to nominate one, I will find someone who will. It seems a particularly good natured way of dealing with this." |
| However he faces opposition to his plans. | However he faces opposition to his plans. |
| Mr Whittingdale told the BBC that he would not support such a system, saying: "The speaker is quite capable of controlling his chamber without the need of fines." | |
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