The controversy over the rules began last year when Labor MP Stella Crassie was told by an official that she should not take her three-month-old son to a discussion – despite bringing her eldest daughter into the room as a baby. Other lawmakers, including former Liberal Democrat leader Joe Swinson, also brought their young children. But speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle referred the matter to the Committee on Procedural Communities for a final decision. Politics Hub: Parliamentary inquiry into misleading Parliament anonymizes witnesses The group of deputies published its conclusions on Thursday, saying that banning infants from the Chamber was a “long-term practice of Parliament” and that its investigation had reached the same conclusion. “Members should not bring babies with them to the Chamber, Westminster Hall or general committees when seeking to observe, initiate, speak or intervene in proceedings,” the committee said in a statement.
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MEPs said those chairing the debate “should maintain a degree of de facto discretion” on the issue, but recommended that it be “exercised sparingly”. And they called on the Association Committee to consider whether the same rules should be reflected in the procedures of selected committees. The decision is likely to anger some MEPs, who have expressed concerns about the possibility of representing their constituents after childbirth, as they are not entitled to maternity leave. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 “Politics is not set for parents” Speaking to Sky News when the altercation broke out, Ms Creasy said her only choice when breastfeeding was to take her baby to work. He received support from members across the House, including Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, who said the Commons “needed to make sure we were in the 21st century”.
