Norwich MP Clive Lewis criticised for swearing in Commons

Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, was warned of "severe consequences" after he was heard swearing during a debate on the government's plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Mr Lewis loudly said "s**t" and walked out of the chamber as MPs voted on the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, on Monday.

Following the outburst, deputy speaker Sir Roger Gale told the chamber: "I’m informed that a member swore at one of the doorkeepers this evening, who on my instructions lock the doors.

"If that person is identified the consequences will be very severe."

Deputy Speaker Sir Roger Gale (Image: UK Parliament)MPs have a limited amount of time to vote during a division and doorkeepers are instructed to lock the doors to the voting lobby once this has passed.

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The incident came as 10 amendments to the Rwanda Bill from the House of Lords were overturned, in a victory for prime minister Rishi Sunak. 

Mr Lewis later identified himself to the deputy speaker. 

Norwich South MP Clive Lewis (Image: Newsquest)He said: "I’d like to put on record if I could my apologies to the chamber, to members and members of staff, for an earlier outburst I had.

"If I could very quickly explain, I received a message which caused me some consternation and surprise to which I made an outburst in general at no-one specifically.

"If I could do it again I’d probably have said something like ‘my giddy aunt’, rather what did come out of my mouth, and for that I apologise.

"But just to clear the air and put on record the fact that it was directed at no-one in particular."

Sir Roger said: "I appreciate the honourable gentleman’s candour in identifying himself and the fullness of the nature of his apology, which is accepted."