Speaker John Bercow has criticised an SNP MP’s “quite extraordinary behaviour” in the Commons.
Mr Bercow took aim at Drew Hendry after the MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey left the chamber before exchanges on a topic he raised were completed.
Mr Hendry was the first MP to ask a question during international development questions.
He questioned International Development Secretary Justine Greening about her department’s preparations for the UN world humanitarian summit.
But Mr Bercow spotted Mr Hendry was no longer in his place in the chamber minutes later – as MPs continued to discuss the issue.
Mr Bercow told MPs: “Where is Mr Hendry? The fella has just asked a question and he’s beetled out of the chamber.
“We’ve still got exchanges on that question. I know he’s a new member but he must learn.
“A member must not ask a question and then leave. There are continuing exchanges upon that matter and I’m sure the honourable gentleman is at least as interested in the opinions of others as he is in his own opinions.
“Quite extraordinary behaviour.”
An SNP spokeswoman later said: “Drew Hendry apologised to the Speaker but explained that he left the chamber to vote in a deferred division.”
Deferred divisions took place in the “no” lobby of the Commons between 11.30am and 2pm.
This type of vote involves MPs completing and returning a ballot paper rather than filing through the voting lobbies.