John McDonnell calls for Conservative chairman and chief whip to resign over 'pairing' controversy

John McDonnell has called for Julian Smith and Brandon Lewis to resign in a row over voting tactics in the House of Commons, despite claims Labour has also been guilty of breaking the rules. 

The shadow chancellor said the Tory chief whip and the party chairman should step down, as he claimed Labour has never broken a pairing arrangement.

But a former Conservative whip said Labour has ignored the long-standing gentleman's agreement almost 50 times.

The shadow chancellor's comments follow a row over Mr Smith's decision to order Mr Lewis to break his pair with a Liberal Democrat MP on maternity leave last week. 

Mr Lewis had been "paired" with Jo Swinson, meaning neither would walk through the voting lobbies.

Mr McDonnell said the two senior Tory MPs should "come clean" about why they ignored the agreement not to vote on a crucial Brexit motion.

But a former Conservative whip said last week that 2000 pairs have been broken since the election and Labour has been responsible 45 times, the Liberal Democrats seven times and the Conservatives 14.

"There is a lot of faux outrage about", they added.

Asked whether he was sure that Labour had never broken a pair Mr McDonnell said: "As far as I am aware, yes, as far as I’m aware. I’m not in the whips office or anything like that but as far as I’m aware, yes, that’s true." 

Education minister Sam Gyimah saidhe believed Mr Smith had made an "honest mistake" and said moves to introduce proxy voting are supported by the Chief Whip and Prime Minister Theresa May.

Asked if Mr Smith should leave his position, Mr McDonnell told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "Yes, I think so. I don't say that lightly, I think so, yeah.

"Theresa May at Prime Minister's Questions said 'Oh, this was done in error' - we now know there were instructions given about breaking the whip to people.

"I don't think that's acceptable. In Parliament you have to have certain democratic standards and once you start breaking the rules in that way, the operation of the institution itself comes into doubt.

"We need reform as well. We need complete reform."

Asked if Mr Lewis should resign, Mr McDonnell said: "I think he should go, but I think both of them now need to come clean."

Mr Gyimah told the same programme: "If (Mr Smith) says it's an honest mistake, I'm willing to take his word for it."

He backed plans for proxy voting in the Commons, adding: "I know the Prime Minister and Chief Whip are supportive of it.

"There are proposals that will be brought forward in September to help facilitate proxy voting and I hope that would help deal with some of the issues seen this week."