Investigation finds no evidence of bullying during fracking vote

An internal investigation has found no evidence of bullying during last month's vote on fracking.

There had been reports that some Conservative MPs had been physically manhandled into supporting the government, with Labour MP Chris Bryant saying that he witnessed "clear bullying" and that Conservative MP Alexander Stafford was "physically manhandled".

However, Stafford denied these claims.

Making the announcement, House of Commons speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said that the atmosphere had been tense, but that there was no evidence of undue influence.

He said: "The atmosphere was tense and members were raising their voices to make themselves heard, but there is no evidence of any bullying or undue influence placed on other members.

"The crowding made it hard to see what was really taking place.

"While some members thought that physical contact was being used to force a member into the lobby, the member concerned has said very clearly that this did not happen. Those who had the clearest views of the incident confirmed this."

A report will be published in due course.

After the statement, Bryant told the BBC Radio 4's World at One: "I am not challenging the ruling of the speaker but I know what I saw and I am not withdrawing a single word.

"It may be that some people feel that they weren't bullied but I saw intimidatory behaviour."

The vote itself caused some confusion, as Conservative MPs were first told that it would be treated as a motion of confidence in the government and if they did not vote with the government, they could be kicked out of the parliamentary party. However just before the vote, they were told that it was not a vote of confidence.

The ban on fracking which had been removed by Liz Truss has since been reinstated by Rishi Sunak.

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