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I have not seen emails but implication of impropriety in this article seems wrong to me and based on misunderstanding of whole concept of parliamentary procedure and role of clerks...
thetimes.co.uk/article/35b951…
thetimes.co.uk/article/35b951…
Procedure is intended to facilitate the proceedings of the House. It is not fixed but has evolved over time to reflect decisions of the House, rulings from the Chair and precedent. At any given time it reflects how the House has chosen to conduct itself...
The role of clerks is to understand the current set of rules and to advise members on how to achieve their objectives...
A wise member does not approach a clerk with a fixed plan of action or ask yes/no questions but asks ‘what are my options for achieving the following outcome?’ This is the type of question it seems - from @ShippersUnbound ‘s article, the clerk was answering...
In response to a question from a backbencher wanting to introduce legislation in the current circumstances it does not seem inappropriate to me for clerk of bills to provide advice on procedural amendments that might win majority support in the House to achieve that objective...
...on the contrary, it is squarely within his job description.
