Roger Cook chides Labor MPs after fracas at parliament door

Labor MPs who shielded a colleague from the media outside parliament have been admonished by WA's premier.

Riverton MP Jags Krishnan was escorted into parliament yesterday by a group including Terry Healy, Pierre Yang and David Scaife, who told journalists "you should be ashamed".

The premier has called for his MPs to show respect.

The WA premier has chided a group of Labor MPs who shielded one of their colleagues from journalists' questions on their way into parliament yesterday, labelling it "not ideal".

It comes as velvet ropes were set up outside the side door of parliament this morning in an apparent attempt to keep the media at bay.

The MPs surrounded the Member for Riverton Jags Krishnan yesterday as he walked into Parliament House, with Southern River MP Terry Healy standing between journalists and Dr Krishnan in an apparent effort to block them asking questions.

Dr Krishnan's business dealings and disclosures to parliament have been under scrutiny since it emerged he was being sued in the United States over an allegedly unpaid million dollar loan, and reporters had been trying to question him about it.

Cockburn MP David Scaife told journalists "this is outrageous" and "you should be ashamed of yourselves".

Legislative Councillor Pierre Yang then appeared to pull Dr Krishnan into the building as fellow upper house MP Kate Doust watched on.

Mr Yang refused to answer questions as he arrived at parliament today.

The ABC has now been told a staffer in the premier's office had yesterday asked two MPs to support Dr Krishnan on his way into parliament, but the premier was not aware.

"I've reminded all my MP's of the expectation on them as a Member of Parliament," Mr Cook said in a statement.

"I've said repeatedly since the attack on Helen Haines we need to all take the temperature down.

"Members of Parliament and journalists, everyone who works at Parliament, all have a job to do — and should be able to get on with it.

"I call on everyone to show respect towards each other."

Rope barriers were placed outside the parliament's south entrance this morning, seemingly to stop journalists getting too close to MPs as they entered the building.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has moved a motion calling for Dr Krishnan to be referred to parliament's powerful Privileges and Procedures Committee to determine if he breached any rules.