Lindsay Hoyle's grand free home, pets named after MP and daughter tragedy
Sir Lindsay Hoyle's future as Commons Speaker hangs in the balance.
The 66-year-old has been in politics for almost 30 years but is now fighting for his survival after coming under fire over his handling of a heated debate on Gaza, which saw MPs passing Labour's amendment calling for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" amid scenes of chaos.
The motion was approved but only after Sir Hoyle broke convention by selecting the opposition party's bid to amend an SNP motion on the Israel-Hamas war. His move sparked fury from the Conservative and SNP benches, who accused him of helping Sir Keir Starmer dodge another damaging revolt.
The Speaker issued a grovelling apology but now faces damning calls to resign. As Hoyle's life has revolved around politics for the past three decades, it seems it's worked its way into his home life too, as he boasts an eclectic menagerie named after famous politicians.
Lindsay Hoyle with his array of animals, all named after politicians (Lancashire Evening Post / SWNS)Sir Lindsay, from Lancashire, shares his Chorley home with his wife Catherine Swindley and their many unique pets. He has even taught his pet parrot Boris, named after former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to shout "order order!" while he is also the proud owner of a Patterdale terrier named after former Speaker Betty Boothroyd, a cat Patrick, and a tortoise named Maggie.
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He named the tortoise after the late Tory PM because she had a hard shell and was "not for turning". While his late cat Dennis, who died a few years ago, took his name from Labour veteran Dennis Skinner. Though there isn't a particular reason for Maine Coon Patrick's namesake, with Lindsay saying it's just "a good name for a cat".
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Their late rottweiler named Gordon, after Labour PM Brown, sadly died a few years back. Revealing the inspiration behind the name, he said: "They always say Gordon had a clunking fist and I've got a dog that has a clunking paw. If you stop stroking him, this big paw bangs you to stroke him again, hence he was called Gordon," he revealed.
But aside from the modest family home in Adlington, Sir Hoyle has the privilege of residing in a luxurious flat in the Palace of Westminster, with his official Speaker's House - all for free. It's used for functions and meetings, but upstairs, there is a four-bedroom apartment for him to use at his leisure.
Sir Lindsay giving his speech to the Commons urging MPs to back him to be the next Speaker (AFP via Getty Images)First completed in 1859, the House has always been the grandest residence in Westminster, and remains true to its original form today, boasting wooden panelling and decadent pink wallpaper, with antique furnishings. The House occupies the twin-towered pavilion, which comes with panoramic views of the River Thames, with one side parallel to Westminster Bridge.
Sir Lindsay, knighted in 2018 for parliamentary and political services, had his own screen-printing firm before becoming a Labour MP in 1997. He was first married to Lynda Anne Fowler before divorcing in 1982.
Hoyle then tied the knot with Catherine, who succeeded him as the Labour Councillor for Adlington, in May 1998. They share a daughter Emma, who used to work at his constituency office.
The Speaker also had a daughter, Natalie Lewis-Hoyle, with Conservative Maldon District Councillor Miriam Lewis. In 2017, Natalie, aged just 28, tragically took her own life.
He said he was "truly devastated" after the daughter, a Conservative Parish Councillor, was found hanged in her bedroom. An inquest recorded an open verdict.
Speaking in the Commons a year later, her MP John Whittingdale said: "At the end of last year my constituent Natalie Lewis-Hoyle, the daughter of Councillor Miriam Lewis and our right honourable friend the member for Chorley, took her own life having been in a coercive relationship and suffered mental abuse in what is known as gaslighting."
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Catherine Swindley, wife of Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle (AFP via Getty Images)
Miriam Lewis found daughter Natalie Lewis-Hoyle in the bedroom of her home on December 15, 2017 (Essex Live WS)He called for more awareness of this kind of abuse in which a perpetrator tries to sow seeds of doubt in their victim so they begin to doubt their own sanity. And he asked then-Prime Minister Theresa May to support 'Chat with Nat', a charity set up by Natalie's mum to help other victims who feel they have nowhere to turn.
Before being appointed as Speaker in 2019, he was Deputy Speaker for nine years, where his no-nonsense manner led to clashes with MPs then too. After calls for him to return to the chamber in yesterday's mayhem to explain his move, Sir Lindsay apologised to MPs and vowed to hold talks with senior party figures.
Amid shouts of "resign", he said: "I thought I was doing the right thing and the best thing, and I regret it, and I apologise for how it’s ended up." He said he took the decision to allow all sides to "express their views" and that he was "very, very concerned about the security" of MPs who have received personal threats over their stance on the Gaza conflict.
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