MP shouts ‘not now Andy’ as Black Rod knocks Commons door

There was a shout of “not now, Andy” as Black Rod Ed Davis arrived at the House of Commons to summon MPs to listen to the King’s Speech at the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday (13 May). Per tradition, the door to the chamber is slammed in the senior Lords officer’s face before they knock on the door three times and enter the Commons. Former Labour MP Dennis Skinner was well known for heckling during Black Rod’s arrival. As Mr Davis knocked on the door on Wednesday, an MP shouted: “Not now, Andy.” Three backbench MPs told the Press Association that the heckle was made by Torcuil Crichton, Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar. The remark appeared to refer to Andy Burnham, who has been touted as a leading contender to replace Sir Keir Starmer if he resigns as prime minister. The Independent has contacted Mr Crichton for comment.