Speaker of the House of Commons: A look back at the past week
28 February - 6 March 2022
On Monday, the Palace of Westminster was lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag as a sign of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
On Tuesday, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, invited MPs and colleagues across Parliament to send a message of solidarity and friendship to the people of Ukraine. The signed Book of Solidarity for Ukraine will be sent to Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Parliament of Ukraine.
To celebrate St David's Day, the Speaker was joined by London Welsh School pupils for a reception and flag-raising ceremony.
On Wednesday, the Speaker welcomed Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaiko to the Commons Chamber ahead of Prime Minister's Questions.
The Speaker also welcomed the Ambassador of Mauritania to the UK, His Excellency Mr Sidya Ould El Hadj. During their meeting they discussed developing the friendship between their two Parliaments.
On Thursday, the Speaker held a virtual meeting with Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
During the week, the following business took place in the Chamber:
- Statement: Sanctions
- Statement: Corporate Transparency and Economic Crime
- Statement: HMICFRS Recommendations
- Statement: Ukraine
- Statement: Russia’s Attack on Ukraine
The Speaker also presided over further business in the Chamber. Find out more about Chamber business which took place during the week.
Find out more about the Speaker's role in the Chamber.
28 February
Palace of Westminster was lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag
1 March
Signing of the Book of Solidarity for Ukraine
The Speaker held a short ceremony in Portcullis House for MPs, their staff and House staff to send a message of solidarity and friendship to the people of Ukraine.
The gathering concluded with a Book of Solidarity being signed by members of the parliamentary community that will be sent to Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Parliament of Ukraine.
St David's Day
To celebrate St David's Day, the Speaker was joined by London Welsh School pupils for a reception and flag-raising ceremony.
2 March
Welcoming Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaiko to the Chamber
Prime Ministers Questions - Click here to catch up with Wednesday 2 March's PMQs
Meeting with the Ambassador of Mauritania to the UK, His Excellency Mr Sidya Ould El Hadj
3 March
Virtual meeting with the Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen
The Speaker of the House of Commons was thanked by his opposite number in Lithuania for the UK’s support for Ukraine.
Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, told Sir Lindsay Hoyle that the imposition of sanctions by the international community on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, ‘had been very strong indeed’ from Lithuania’s perspective.
"We appreciate your active support and contribution to security of the region," she told Mr Speaker during a virtual meeting with him.
"The sanctions against Russia are only economic and do not deliver results in days - but they are extremely painful in the long run."
Sir Lindsay said: "We stand with you and Ukraine in solidarity and friendship and have shown where our loyalties lie."
Members of the House of Commons gave Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK a standing ovation on Wednesday 2 March, ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions, while the flag of Ukraine flew all week from the main entrance to Parliament.
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