The deputy Speaker has warned those in the public gallery to stop clapping during a debate on Covid and excess deaths.

Dame Rosie Winterton said the noise was “simply not acceptable” and issued a “final warning” the gallery would be cleared if the noise continued from the public, out of view of TV cameras, watching the debate from seats above a nearly empty chamber.

Both interventions followed Independent MP Andrew Bridgen speaking against Covid vaccines in the debate. He had claimed some had “caused serious harm and death”, ahead of Conservative MP Sir Christopher Chope who said “feelings run very strongly on this”.