CULLINGWORTH and Denholme MP Philip Davies has defended his controversial decision to speak for over 50 minutes against a bill that would require schools to teach first aid.

The Conservative said his lengthy speech was based on concerns raised by schools in his constituency.

Mr Davies spoke against the private members’ bill, which would have made it compulsory for secondary schools to teach first aid, for 52 minutes on Friday.

Ultimately the bill was unsuccessful after Mr Davies and other members spoke for so long the session ended before a vote could be taken.

Mr Davies has been criticised by other MPs and groups including St John Ambulance, who accused him of “filibustering” – deliberately talking for so long that no time remains for a vote.

He said: “I contacted all the secondary schools in my constituency and in the debate I referenced the concerns they had about making first aid compulsory.”

He said schools should make the decision themselves rather than have it forced on them by Whitehall.