Tory minister John Hayes mocked for refusing to take questions from MPs too 'sartorially challenged' to wear a tie

Chris Baynes4 July 2017
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A Conservative minister said he would refuse to take questions from MPs too "sartorially challenged" to wear a tie.

Transport minister John Hayes joked he would rebuff any interventions from members who omitted the garment, after speaker John Bercow relaxed the Parliamentary dress code.

Mr Bercow, in a break with Commons tradition, announced he would allow male MPs to speak in the chamber without wearing a tie providing they were wearing “business-like attire”.

But Mr Hayes, who often makes speeches littered with light-hearted and philosophical references, was evidently unimpressed - and even brought a spare tie for other MPs to borrow.

As he introduced the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing Bill, the first legislation to be debated in the new Parliament, he said on Monday: “There has been some debate over recent days in this chamber about sartorial standards.

“I ought to say as a matter of courtesy I won’t be taking interventions from anyone who’s not wearing a tie, on whatever side of the House that they sit.

“As well as courtesy, I believe in generosity, and anyone that is sartorially challenged or inadequate I will provide a tie for. I do have a tie here which I’m prepared to offer.”

He added: “Of course I exclude from that lady members of the House, who I would hardly expect to dress in either my tie, one of their own or anyone else’s.”

Other MPs poked fun at Mr Hayes following his speech.

Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted that she "won't take interventions from people not wearing a feather boa, prompting her party colleague Stella Creasy to respond: "Feather boas? That's nothing... it's mandatory pants on head from now on for points of order I reckon".

But Mr Hayes also faced criticism for his joke from some on social media, where users pointed out Labour MP Jared O'Mara was unable to wear a tie because of a disability.

Mr O'Mara, who ousted Nick Clegg from his Sheffield Hallam seat in last month's general election, has spoken of being unable to fasten shirt buttons because of his cerebral palsy.

State Opening of Parliament 2017 - In pictures

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His exemption from the Commons dress code was reportedly behind Mr Bercow's decision to relax the rules.

One Twitter user wrote: "There have been lots of comments from able bodied men - usually privileged and middle aged - objecting to this change.

"The Speaker should be applauded for his desire to make sure all MPs can do their job without arcane impediments."

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