Stella Creasy told she cannot bring baby into Commons

The mother-of-two said Parliament needs to be dragged into the 21st century after she was emailed by authorities about rules prohibiting bringing children to debates.

Labour MP Ms Creasy, a former student at Colchester County High School for Girls, received the warning after bringing son Pip into a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, during which he was observed to be “as good as gold” and received praise from MPs.

The MP for Walthamstow, who does not have maternity cover, said it appears “mothers in the mother of all parliaments are not to be seen or heard”.

“It’s a bit of a mystery to me because I have two children and I’ve taken them both previously into the chamber as needs must to make sure my constituents have representation,” she told Sky News.

“I think it’s representative of the way as a mum you can’t win because if I had maternity cover it would be a different issue, and I don’t and I don’t want to short-change my residents.”

Pip, who is breastfeeding, has regularly attended the Commons, as did Ms Creasy’s older daughter.

The Commons Speaker has now requested a review into whether MPs can take babies into the chamber.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle stressed it is “extremely important” that parents can fully participate in parliamentary work as he asked the Procedure Committee on Wednesday to bring forward recommendations for the House to make a ruling.

Sir Lindsay said he was unaware that the warning was being issued to Ms Creasy but accepted it “correctly reflects the current rules”.

“However, rules have to be seen in context and they change with the times,” he told MPs in a statement when he opened the Commons on Wednesday morning.

“This House has to be able to function professionally and without disturbance. However, sometimes there may be occasions when the chair can exercise discretion assuming to the business not being disturbed.

“I accept there are differing views on this matter.”