Speaker Lindsay Hoyle gives green light for female MPs to breastfeed in Commons chamber
2 min read
Lindsay Hoyle has given the green light for female MPs to breastfeed in the House of Commons chamber.
The Speaker - who took over from John Bercow last November - said "it would be wrong of me as a male" to prevent a woman from feeding her child.
At the moment, breastfeeding is not allowed on the green benches, despite a 2016 report saying it should be considered as part of a shake-up of parliamentary rules.
But speaking at a Westminster lunch, Mr Hoyle said: "My view is that it would be wrong of me as a male to dictate on that. If it happens it happens, I won't be upset by it."
His comments mark a major break with Commons tradition, after former Speaker Betty Boothroyd ruled in 2000 that breastfeeding should not take place in Parliament.
She said: "I do not believe that the feeding of babies in either the Chamber or Committee is conducive to the efficient conduct of public business.
"Nor do I think that the necessary calm environment in which to feed babies can be provided in such circumstances."
Despite the breastfeeding ban, increasing numbers of MPs have brought their babies into the chamber and even taken them through the division lobbies.
John Bercow also made Parliament more family-friendly by setting up a nursery for staff and MPs.
Meanwhile, Mr Hoyle also pledged to end the bullying culture in Parliament.
In a thinly-veiled swipe at his predecessor Mr Bercow - who denies allegations of bullying - the Speaker said he wanted to make Parliament "a better village for all of us".
"It is about looking after everyone who works in this place," he said. "I do hope we can get the respect back.
"The bullying is over. We are not going to tolerate it."
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