Pretty much gibberish reporting imo. Starmer is trying to deflect Tory comments by abstaining on something he cannot stop anyways. Labour and LD have done this many times this parliament. They know they cannot stop the crap the Tories are putting into legislation. The best they can do is show the public that no one can fight them with the majority they have. For McDonnell to choose this as a hill to die on seems stupid.
As for Lawson he has been given a chance to defend himself, and much like Johnson did with parliament he is refusing the opportunity. He really should take give a response. While I may disagree with how Lawson is handling the situation, I cannot help but agree with his motivation. Lawson is an ardent PR voting advocate. He feels he is being defenestrated for his comments on strategic voting as a means to quell his opinion on PR voting.
The irony is that he should be using strategic voting as a focal point to proof just how easy FPTP is to manipulate. The counter argument for keeping FPTP is that PR would allow more say from far right groups. I wonder how that argument stacks with the current government, who are just one step away from invading Poland. FPTP does not stop the far right from being elected, quite the opposite, with the cash being thrown at Tories atm, they can easily afford a good campaign to get anything they want in.