Speaker erupts as minister makes ‘shameful’ move after major announcement
Speaker erupts as minister makes ‘shameful’ move after major announcement Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh was not in the Commons to announce Jackdaw's approval Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Steph Spyro , Deputy political editor and environment editor 13:30, Wed, Oct 21, 2026 Updated: 13:32, Wed, Oct 21, 2026 Lindsay Hoyle takes aim at energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has branded the Government's decision to announce the approval of the Jackdaw gas field to the media first as "shameful". He also slammed Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh for failing to turn up to make a statement to the House of Commons on the issue. Gas from the Jackdaw field will start flowing within weeks after the UK Government approved the project in an effort to improve domestic energy security and provide an economic boost. Ms Fahnbulleh sent a junior minister to the Commons to tell MPs on Wednesday instead, while she remained in Scotland following the broadcast round where she was interviewed by journalists for morning TV and radio programmes Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle berated the Government after PMQs (Image: Parliament TV) Sir Lindsay said: “It is shameful that this announcement was not made to the House first, and it is an immense discourtesy to the House that the Secretary of State did not come here to make the statement. I'm sorry that Sky News is more important than the members of both sides. It is appalling treatment." He added: “I’m sorry that Aberdeen is more important than the MPs they’ve elected.” Sir Lindsay had earlier said: “It is simply not good enough that it was trailed by the press last night and announced all over the media this morning by the Secretary of State before it could be properly scrutinised in this House.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT He added: “I’m sure there will be a leak inquiry, or is it that this department is deliberately briefing out to the media?” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Energy minister Michael Shanks, who was present in the chamber ahead of his statement on Jackdaw, said he would take the comments back to his department. PMQs LIVE: Andy Burnham brutally skewered by Kemi Badenoch within minutes Tory sensationally quits in furious row with Kemi Badenoch over ECHR – 'extraordinary!' Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Mr Burnham was asked about the Government’s decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field in Prime Minister’s Questions. He said he had made a decision that the previous Tory government “messed up”. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had criticised the Labour Government for “dithering” for two and a half years to approve Jackdaw, as she called for Labour to repeal its ban on all new oil and gas licences. “We have the resources, the expertise and the people,” she said. “What we have lost is the confidence to make tough decisions.” Breaking news Lindsay Hoyle Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments