Speaker Hoyle and Speaker Pelosi vow to stand together against 'antidemocratic forces'

Sir Lindsay Hoyle made the comments after he hosted the first visit by US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to the House of Commons since he became Speaker.

Speaker Pelosi said the attack on the seat of US Government by supporters of former President Donald Trump on 6 January 2021 had had a "traumatising effect" on the staff who worked there.

Mr Speaker said he and his US counterpart had agreed "to make sure mob rule doesn’t affect this Parliament and other Parliaments around the world."

"The one thing we all value is democracy and these are people who do not believe in democracy," he said.

Security both home and abroad was a hot topic of conversation between the two Speakers, who met in person for the first time at the G7 Speakers’ Conference in Sir Lindsay’s Chorley constituency last September.

They vowed then to continue their discussions to counter antidemocratic forces in legislatures around the world – something that was particularly poignant in the UK, following the killing of British MP Sir David Amess in October last year.

Over lunch in Speaker’s House, the Speakers and a Congressional delegation also discussed the ongoing threat of Russian aggression against Ukraine and Western efforts to push for diplomacy.

Standing together with Speaker Hoyle, Speaker Pelosi hailed "the close working relationship between our two countries – it's a very special relationship and a very special Speaker."

Sir Lindsay added: "That special relationship has been enhanced today.... It’s about standing shoulder to shoulder."

During her whistle-stop visit, Speaker Pelosi stood in Central Lobby to watch the ceremonial Speaker’s procession pass into the House of Commons Chamber before sitting in the Under Gallery to watch Defence Questions.

She also visited the hiding place of Suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, who secreted herself in the House of Commons crypt to evade the 1911 Census.

The US flag flew at Parliament’s main entrance in New Palace Yard to welcome Speaker Pelosi to the Commons.