A former Speaker of the House is reminding MPs the rules of the House must be followed.

The Privileges Committee have suggested three Te Pati Māori MPs be temporarily suspended from Parliament, ranging up to 21 days, for their role in a haka over the Treaty Principles Bill.

Te Pati Māori says these suspensions are the longest in Parliament's history.

Sir Lockwood Smith told Ryan Bridge members need to think before they ignore the rules.

He says the three-week suspension and missing part of the budget debate will hopefully make people take notice.

The recommendation will be put to the House next Tuesday and likely pass. 

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