Michael Gove accused of 'vandalism' on a new coal mine and blasted by the president

A debate in the House of Commons over whether to approve the UK's first coal mine in decades descended into chaos after the President Sir Lindsay Hoyle bullied Leveling Up secretary Michael Gove for not providing a copy of the statement

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Lindsay Hoyle slams Michael Gove for breaking cabinet code

Ministers have been accused of 'environmental vandalism' in a furious row over the approval of Britain's first new coal mine in 30 years.

Coking coal from the Cumbria site, which received the green light from Leveling Up secretary Michael Gove on Thursday, will be used for steel production in the UK and overseas.

It is expected to extract nearly 2.8 million tonnes of coal a year - and West Cumbrian Mining has said 500 workers will be hired at the Whitehaven mine. She hopes that 80% of these positions will be filled by local staff.

But Labour's Lisa Nandy called the move "short-sighted" as demand for this type of coal is set to fall by 2050 - and said the government's claim it would boost energy security of the United Kingdom was "absurd".

Shadow Minister Alex Sobel has suggested the party will not let the plan go ahead if Labor wins the next election.

Today's debate in the House of Commons descended into chaos after Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle brutalized Mr Gove for not providing a copy of the statement.

Upgrading Secretary Michael Gove has approved the site of the UK's first coal mine in decades (

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PENNSYLVANIA)

Sir Lindsay has suspended charges and accused the top Tory of breaching the Cabinet Code. Mr Gove apologized and said there was "no intention of discourtesy".

Approval of the site has been delayed, with the decision suspended in early 2021 ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

Opponents say the decision contradicts efforts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and undermines UK efforts to get the world off coal.

But supporters say it will create vital jobs in the area.

Ms Nandy accused the Tories of 'environmental vandalism' and said the move went against UK climate commitments.

Major steel producers Tata and British Steel are phasing out this type of coal, she said, warning it was only a short-term solution.

"The people of Cumbria deserve a long-term future", s...