Perthshire SNP MP being investigated by Commons watchdog over parliament rule breach claims

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Perthshire SNP MP is facing an investigation by a Commons watchdog after claims he breached parliamentary rules. John Nicolson, who represents Ochil and South Perthshire, publicly shared correspondence with the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.He has been referred to the committee of privileges following a vote by MPs after he posted part of a letter from Sir Lindsay concerning his decision on referring former culture secretary Nadine Dorries to the same committee.Sanctions available if the committee finds an MP guilty of contempt include forcing them to apologise, suspension or expulsion.The debate was brought before parliament by Conservative former cabinet minister David Davis, who claimed the actions of Mr Nicolson constitute a “clear breach” of parliamentary rules.He told the Commons: “It’s vital for members to protect the integrity, the impartiality and apolitical nature of the Speaker’s office.”Last week, in a video posted on Twitter, Mr Nicolson told followers that the Speaker had “decided to take no further action and not to refer Nadine Dorries to the privileges committee”.He said: “In other words, she’ll suffer no consequences for what she’s done.

And I thought you should know.”The video, which has been viewed more than 615,000 times, sparked an angry backlash against the Speaker.In the Commons yesterday, Mr Davis said: “Nowhere in his [Mr Nicolson’s] filmed statement did he tell his followers that Mr Speaker was following normal precedent or normal procedure by accepting the will of the DCMS (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) committee.“All of us in this House have a duty to uphold its rules and institutions, but by knowingly breaching the confidentiality of the Speaker’s correspondence he’s done the