Oldham MP issues apology over missed ceasefire vote

MPs voted 293 to 125, a majority of 168, to reject the amendment, proposed by the Scottish National Party, on Wednesday, November 15.

However, 56 Labour MPs backed it, defying a three-line whip and rejecting party leader Sir Keir Starmer’s stance.

Debbie Abrahams speaks out

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams missed the vote, despite previously calling for a ceasefire.

In a statement to The Oldham Times, Ms Abrahams said: “I had a longstanding commitment to attend a charity event that evening.

“The charity event was the launch of a research fund for sport-acquired brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and motor neurone disease, which Kevin Sinfield hosted.

“If I had been in Parliament, I would have voted for a ceasefire, and have made calls for this in Parliament, in meetings with ministers and by signing early day motions.

“I apologise for any upset that not being able to attend but please be assured that I remain committed to keep on the pressure for an immediate ceasefire.”

Video circulates online

The statement comes after a video was circulated online earlier this week, showing Ms Abrahams apologising for not attending the vote.

The video which was shared does not appear to be published on the MP’s official social media accounts.

Ms Abrahams added: “The public video was circulated to members of Oldham Mosque Council following my meeting with them on Monday.”

In the video, Ms Abrahams speaks outside The Old Town Hall.

She says: “So, I’ve just met with the Mosque Council, from Oldham, in my office.

“I was very clear that I have been calling for a ceasefire in Gaza for over four weeks now. I was one of the first MPs to do so.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the vote on Wednesday. If I had been there, I would have voted for the amendment, for the ceasefire.

“I was really upset and disappointed and I do apologise to anybody who felt hurt that I wasn’t able to attend.

“I have been working very, very hard behind the scenes, but also in public.

“So, for example, supporting the early day motion calling for a ceasefire, meeting with the minister for the Middle East and many others, both inside the Labour Party and outside the Labour Party.

“We know we are going to get this ceasefire. We are working so, so hard around this and I hope you can bear with me.”

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Ms Abraham’s Parliamentary record

A day before the missed vote, on November 14, Ms Abrahams tweeted a video from a Parliamentary debate earlier that day, where she asked Development and Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell about the government’s assessment of Palestinian civilian deaths without a ceasefire – which she followed up with a written Parliamentary question later that day.

The Minister didn't seem to get what I was asking, if there's no ceasefire & the killings continue, how many Palestinian civilians inc babies & children will have died by this time next month?
Have asked this in a written question #wpq pic.twitter.com/ZS5MasupUp

— Debbie Abrahams MP (@Debbie_abrahams) November 14, 2023

Then, on November 21, she asked the minister again, saying: “Does the Minister agree that 20 to 30 trucks of humanitarian assistance a day is a drop in the ocean compared with the 450 a day that were being delivered previously, and that what is really needed is a ceasefire and a peace process resulting in a safe and secure Palestinian and Israeli state?”

Ms Abrahams has called for a ceasefire in Parliament. Photo: Sean Dempsey/PA

Ceasefire now going ahead

Since then, Israel has announced there will be a ceasefire starting on Thursday morning.

The Israel-Hamas truce will take effect from 10am local time (8am GMT) on Thursday, Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV said. The deal was announced by Qatar, before the Egyptian channel outlined the timing.

Egypt helped mediate the four-day ceasefire, which will facilitate the release of dozens of hostages captured by Hamas during its October 7 attack on southern Israel.

Israel is mounting a ground operation (Image: PA)

Israeli media reported that the truce would begin at 10am local time on Thursday. The news has been welcomed by US President Joe Biden as well as UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

Fifty hostages will be freed in stages, in exchange for the release of what Hamas said would be 150 Palestinian prisoners.

Both sides will let go of women and children first, and the supply of humanitarian aid flowing into the besieged territory will be ramped up.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Oldham. Please email me at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.