Isle of Wight man retiring after 28 years at House of Commons

MPs broke into a round of applause after Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle credited his assistant secretary Ian Davis, a former Scots Guardsman, for helping him make the transition from deputy speaker to the top job and for ‘having a great history in serving this country.’

Mr Davis, who served in the first Gulf War, took part in his last Speaker’s procession before retiring.

Sir Lindsay said: "It’s not an easy job to become Speaker, but the one thing that was easy for me, was knowing that Ian Davis was there to advise me and the Speaker’s secretary on the roles that we have.

"Ian’s military discipline, his can-do attitude, his friendship, sense of humour and expertise will be sorely missed by my team, and particularly by me.

"He is a brilliant example of why we need more former military personnel serving in this House."

The Speaker’s tributes were echoed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer, and Ian Blackford, the SNP’s leader in Westminster.

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Ian Davis at the State Opening of Parliament. Picture credit, UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor.

Mr Davis, 67, joined the House Service in October 1993, when John Major was Prime Minister, having served in the Army across the world for 24 years — which included working with 33 Field Hospital in northern Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War in 1991.

As Band Sergeant Major in the Scots Guards, Mr Davis — a gifted musician who plays the French horn and violin — performed on 20 occasions at the Trooping of the Colour, which marks the official birthday of the Queen.

He became a senior doorkeeper to the House of Commons in 1993, before joining Speaker Michael Martin’s team in 2001 as the ceremonial Trainbearer.

He was later promoted to assistant secretary to the Speaker in 2011, and held the role until his retirement.

Mr Davis said he has ‘loved every minute of working in such a high-profile environment’ and said it had been fantastic getting to know the characters of politicians 'who pop up on people’s TV screens’.

He also enjoyed meeting the many celebrities who have visited the Palace of Westminster, including Sean Connery and Roger Moore, who both played James Bond.

He said: "I can remember the look of surprise from staff when Sean Connery popped his head around the door of the Members’ Library — they never expected to see such a famous actor in there.

"Angela Lansbury, who starred in Murder She Wrote, was lovely, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Linda Gray, famed for her role as Sue-Ellen in Dallas, when she came on a tour of Parliament ten years ago."

After 52 years of public service, being involved in every State Opening of Parliament since 1972 and being awarded an MBE for services to Parliament, Ian said he is looking forward to taking a break from commuting from Bembridge, where he lives with Linda, his wife of 44 years.

As well as visiting their daughter Natalie and two grandchildren in California and improving his golf handicap, he is eager to take up voluntary work for a charity that helps former military personnel.

Bob Seely MP said: "Ian was a well-known and much respected figure in the Commons. Like others, I often popped by his office near the chamber to ask his advice in my dealings with the Speaker or House of Commons staff. He invariably gave good advice.

"He was always impeccably well-manned and very well dressed.

“I wish him a long and happy retirement and I and others will miss his presence in Parliament.”