MP Faces Protest After Disability Bill Blocked

Campaigners are planning to stage a protest outside the office of a Cornish MP after claiming she deliberately obstructed a bill aimed at improving the lives of disabled people.

Sheryll Murray, Conservative MP for South East Cornwall, along with fellow MP Tom Pursglove, have been accused of staging a filibuster – intentionally speaking until the allotted time in the House of Commons was used up – to prevent the Disability Equality Training (Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Drivers) Bill 2016-17 proceeding to the next stage.

If enacted, the legislation, which is aimed to stop guide dogs and other assistance dog owners being illegally refused access from taxis and minicabs, would have made it compulsory for drivers to complete disability equality training.

Mrs Murray has since denied deliberately blocking the proposed legislation and said there wasn’t enough time to properly discuss the matter.

Online Reaction

The debate in the House of Commons on Friday sparked a fierce backlash on social media with many calling Mrs Murray’s actions “shameful”. A protest is now due to take place outside her office on Tuesday 22nd November at 1pm.

Andrew Gwynne, who sponsored the bill, said he was angry about the way it has been filibustered, adding that even transport minister John Hayes had been “embarrassed” about his colleagues’ behaviour.

The Labour MP added that the thrust of the bill may be salvageable and the minister had requested a meeting to discuss how changes could be made.

Mrs Murray explained: “There was less than an hour for the bill to get a second reading on Friday and it was impossible for members to fully debate the matter. It has of course been scheduled to come back to the House of Commons at a later date but there is no guarantee this will happen.”

She added: “I will reiterate that I care deeply about ensuring we have taxis and private hire vehicles which do not discriminate against the disabled and that we have a framework to ensure that this is the case.

Following the uproar, some Twitter users even accused the MP of blocking them on the social media site after they criticised her actions.