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Alok Sharma, minister of the British government, carried out his own isolation after coronavirus testing
Business Secretary Alok Sharma repeatedly wiped his head and nose with a handkerchief and held his forehead when he made a speech on Wednesday, raising the question whether the British government has the right to ask its MPs to return to Parliament while the number of new corona virus infections remains high.
The House of Commons has been operating on a hybrid basis in recent weeks, with a number of MPs being allowed in the assembly and others being allowed to take part and vote from the house.
But in a move led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, Chair of the House of Commons and a traditionalist Conservative MP, the government used its parliamentary majority to end the arrangement earlier this week.
MPs are forced to return to Westminster if they want to debate and vote on legislation. But House of Commons officials insist that social distance rules are maintained, which means lawmakers must join the outline to vote in the traditional way past the booth as tellers mark their names.
The House of Commons Procedure Committee report, published on May 30, warned the government’s decision to call the House of Commons to Westminster with a system of social distance had “significant shortcomings.” The committee report said “there are serious concerns about how it will work in practice” and suggested that “remote elections should continue for a limited period of time, with members wishing to be able to vote directly after their votes are recorded in the room.”
On Tuesday, after sitting first after the virtual arrangement was canceled, he tweeted: “Today has shown how much more effective the right Parliament is as opposed to the imitation in holding the government accountable.” But Sharma’s agitated appearance on Wednesday could cast doubt on the wisdom of forcing MPs into confined spaces.
Downing Street said that if Sharma was declared positive, Prime Minister Boris Johnson might be forced to exile. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Johnson and finance minister Rishi Sunak held a 45-minute meeting on the economy with Sharma on Tuesday. The rules of maintaining social distance are maintained, said the spokesman.
Other lawmakers who have maintained contact with the minister can also be forced into quarantine for two weeks if he is tested positive.
A spokesman for the Sharma Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy told CNN on Wednesday: “State Secretary Alok Sharma began to feel unwell when in the room giving a second reading of the Corporate Governance and Bankruptcy Bill. In line with the guidelines he has been tested for coronavirus and have returned home to isolate themselves. “
At the time of publication on Thursday, Sharrma did not yet have his test results returned, according to the department.
Liberal Democratic Member of Parliament Daisy Cooper said on Twitter that Rees-Mogg had to resign as Chair of the House for “bringing [it] being underestimated, and there is no need to put lives at risk “. He urged Chairwoman Lindsay Hoyle to return parliament to a virtual process with only immediate effect.
Labor MP John McDonnell said on Twitter: “I hope Alok Sharma recovers quickly but this confirms that the lives of staff and members of parliament are at risk in Parliament. It was an irresponsible decision by Rees Mogg and Johnson to force Parliament open. Now must return to online locking and operation. “
This story has been updated to improve the date on which the House of Representatives Procedure Committee report was published.
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