COMMONS Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has personally intervened to block the release of emails he sent to Israeli politicians.
Responding to an Freedom of Information (FoI) request lodged by Declassified UK, the UK Government said Hoyle was the individual who had chosen not to release written correspondence since October 2023 between himself and the Israeli Embassy, Labour Friends of Israel and members or officials of the Knesset, the Israeli legislature.
The response said that Hoyle "has formed the reasonable opinion that disclosure of the information would be likely to prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs".
Hoyle previously visited Israel in November 2023 for a “solidarity visit”. Israel's ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely shared a video clip of his visit online. He said: "Unless you witness and come here to see what's happened, you cannot imagine the atrocity took place."
In 2024, Hoyle was heavily criticised for allowing rules to be changed for the first time over a vote led by the SNP on a ceasefire in Palestine - ultimately saving Labour from a rebellion threat.
The House of Commons erupted into chaos as Hoyle selected both UK Government and Labour amendments, making it the first time in at least 25 years that the move had occurred on an Opposition Day, the clerk of the House confirmed - calling it a "departure from long-established convention".
Nearly 100 MPs signed a no-confidence motion in the Speaker – but a bid to have the issue referred to the Privileges Committee failed.
Hoyle caused further outrage when he told the SNP that they would have another opportunity to put forward a ceasefire motion, but this was not followed up on.
The full FoI response stated:
You asked to be provided with written correspondence since 1 October 2023 between the Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle and the Israeli Embassy, Labour Friends of Israel and members and/or officials of the Knesset, the Israeli legislature.
The House of Commons holds information within the scope of your request.
While we hold this information however, it is withheld from release in accordance with section 36(2)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). This is because the Speaker of the House of Commons, on advice from House officials, including Speaker's Counsel and Clerk of the Journals, has formed the reasonable opinion that disclosure of the information would be likely to prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.
Section 36 FOIA provides an absolute exemption in the case of the House of Commons and the public interest test does not apply.
You may, if dissatisfied with the handling of your request, complain to the House of Commons. Alternatively, if you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your request, you may ask the House of Commons to conduct an internal review of any decision regarding your request.
