🤔 Point of Order

Commons Chamber

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During a heated parliamentary session, Sarah Owen challenged the shadow Minister’s claim that imam Adam Kelwick prayed for Hamas’ victory over Israel, clarifying that he actually called for peace. Owen emphasized Kelwick’s efforts in countering extremism and uniting communities, demanding a correction from the shadow Minister. The Speaker advised Owen to seek further guidance from the Table Office on how to address the issue, highlighting the importance of accuracy in parliamentary statements. This clash underscores the critical need for MPs to verify information before using their platform, as inaccuracies could lead to legal consequences outside the House.

Summary

  • Point of Order Raised: Sarah Owen, MP for Luton North, raised a point of order concerning a statement made by the shadow Minister for Women, Mims Davies, about imam Adam Kelwick.

  • Incorrect Statement: Mims Davies claimed that imam Kelwick had posted a prayer for the victory of Hamas over Israel, which Sarah Owen stated was inaccurate.

  • Actual Post: According to Sarah Owen, imam Kelwick’s actual post called for prayers of peace and did not mention Hamas or Israel.

  • Imam’s Background: Sarah Owen highlighted that imam Kelwick has been involved in countering extremism and fostering unity, notably during an attack on a Liverpool mosque.

  • Request for Correction: Sarah Owen asked Mims Davies to correct the record and warned about potential legal repercussions if such statements were made outside of Parliament.

  • Speaker’s Response: The Speaker clarified that he is not responsible for the content of questions or answers given in the House. He suggested that Sarah Owen seek advice from the Table Office on how to proceed and emphasized that the record would be reviewed.

  • Parliamentary Privilege: The point of order also touched on the issue of parliamentary privilege, urging careful use to avoid slandering individuals.

Divisiveness

The disagreement in this parliamentary session is moderate, primarily centered around a point of order raised by Sarah Owen regarding a statement made by the shadow Minister for Women, Mims Davies. The disagreement is about the accuracy of a claim made by Davies about imam Adam Kelwick’s views on Hamas and Israel. Sarah Owen disputes this claim, asserting that Kelwick’s actual statement was about praying for peace and did not mention Hamas or Israel. This presents a factual disagreement between two members of the House, which is a typical form of disagreement seen in parliamentary sessions. However, the session does not escalate beyond this single point of contention, and the Speaker handles the situation by referring the matter to the Table Office for further action. There are no heated exchanges or further debates on the issue during this session, indicating a moderate level of disagreement. The session is therefore rated a 2, reflecting the presence of a disagreement but without significant escalation or multiple instances of contention.