SHIPLEY MP Philip Davies was likened to fictional villain Moriarty in a Commons debate today.

The chairman of the influential Procedure Committee said the "appalling" blocking of backbenchers' legislation by a handful MPs filibustering should be stopped.

Charles Walker insisted that private member's Bills are regulated by some of the worst procedures in the Commons, allowing individual MPs to "talk out" legislation by speaking at length until parliamentary time runs out.

Last week Mr Davies spoke for more than 50 minutes to help kill off a Bill to make first aid education compulsory at secondary schools.

That came only weeks after he played a leading role in killing a Bill relating to hospital parking charges for carers and then stalling legislation on the off-patent use of prescription drugs.

Mr Walker compared his Tory colleague to the fictional villain Moriarty, as opposed to his Sherlock Holmes.

During the business question in the Commons, Mr Walker said: "The most egregious unreformed procedures in this House relate to private member's Bills.

"The conduct of this place in the execution of those Bills is simply appalling.

"Can I urge you to join with the Procedure Committee in trying to find a way forward?

"If I could say if I am Holmes in this matter then the honourable gentleman for Shipley is now my Moriarty."

Commons Leader Chris Grayling replied: "Mr Davies has been referred to many things in the past, never, I think, as Moriarty.

"But I do understand the point you make.

"As chair of the Procedure Committee you are better placed than anyone to address concerns around the private member's Bill process."