The shadow leader of the House has failed in a last-minute bid to get Cathy Jamieson on to the culture, media and sport select committee.
On a point of order Hilary Benn asked the Speaker to intervene and move a motion to place her on the committe up the order paper.
He described how last night a Tory MP had objected to Jamieson's membership, meaning that she will not be able to take part in this afternoon's evidence session with Rupert and James Murdoch.
They are set to appear to answer questions about phone hacking and other illegal activity at the News of the World.
Former News International chief executive Rebakah Brooks will give evidence separately.
Last two Labour MPs took the unusual step of objecting to a David Laws being placed on a bill committee, with unforseen consequences.
The claimed he was not a fit and proper person to serve on the draft financial services bill committee as he had been censured by the standards and privileges committee over his expenses claims.
Tory MP Nick de Bois then objected to Jamieson, a former justice minister in the Scottish government.
The motion to place her on the committee was back on the order paper for today but scheduled for this evening, after the backbench adjournment debate.
Benn said that motion is "time critical" and asked if it could be considered before the culture committee meets.
Mr Speaker said "for the protection of all parts of the House", the order paper is set at the end of the previous day's session and cannot be changed "without notice".
He added he was sorry to disappoint Benn on this issue.
Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell, also on a point of order, reflected that last night "was not the finest hour of parliament".
He said Labour's "obstruction was met with a response".
Campbell suggested the matter be referred to the procedure committee to "prevent this happening in the future".
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