'Strong rumours' UK government chief whip has resigned amid chaotic Commons scenes

Allegations of bullying were levelled against government whips, with Labour former minister Chris Bryant saying some MPs had been “physically manhandled into another lobby and being bullied”.

Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing announcing the result of a vote for Labour's motion to allocate Commons time to consider banning fracking, which was defeated by 230 votes to 326, majority 96 in the House of Commons in London. Picture: House of Commons/PA Wire

The UK government has defeated Labour’s bid to ban fracking amid farcical scenes in the House of Commons.

Conservative whips initially stated the vote on whether to allocate Commons time to consider legislation to stop shale gas extraction was being treated as a “confidence motion” in Liz Truss’s embattled government.