Speaker Hoyle pledges to share security tips with counterparts across the globe

Sir Lindsay Hoyle outlined his mission to improve the security of MPs and protect democracy during a virtual meeting with his Austrian counterpart, Wolfgang Sobotka.

The two men reflected on recent attacks in their countries, which resulted in PC Keith Palmer being murdered in Westminster on 22 March 2017, and a gunman killing four people and wounding at least 22, after a rampage through Vienna’s city centre in November 2020.

Sir Lindsay said that parliamentary security measures were constantly under review. He was also dismayed that the threats and intimidation unfortunately experienced by MPs continue and were having a potentially detrimental impact on the democratic process.

‘I was very worried at the last election when women MPs said to me: “I don’t think I’m going to stand again. I don’t want to put up with that level of intimidation,”’ Sir Lindsay said.

‘It is important we improve security for MPs, not just in London, but in their constituency offices and at home as well so that they feel safe carrying out their job.

‘We want to be the best in the game, so we are able to provide leadership and help other Parliaments experiencing the same level of threats as we do.’

He told Mr Sobotka: ‘I would love to show you what we’re doing on security because I believe it is important that we share our knowledge on this important matter.’

Mr Sobotka, President of Austria’s National Council, said he shared Sir Lindsay’s concerns – and pledged to make safety and security of

MPs and their democracies top of the agenda at the Inter-Parliamentary Union World Conference of Speakers in Vienna later this year.

The two Speakers also expressed their hopes of hosting each other for bilateral meetings, once Covid restrictions are lifted.

More than 20,000 Austrian citizens live in the UK, while 11,000 British people live in Austria, which Sir Lindsay said emphasised the depth of ‘good relations’ between the two countries.