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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| AM says sorry after rude gesture | AM says sorry after rude gesture |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A video clip showing an AM making a rude gesture has been posted on the video sharing website YouTube. | A video clip showing an AM making a rude gesture has been posted on the video sharing website YouTube. |
| The clip taken from Tuesday's assembly session clearly shows Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates raising his middle finger to the laughter of other AMs. | The clip taken from Tuesday's assembly session clearly shows Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates raising his middle finger to the laughter of other AMs. |
| He appeared to be responding to a reprimand from the presiding officer, Dafydd Elis-Thomas. | He appeared to be responding to a reprimand from the presiding officer, Dafydd Elis-Thomas. |
| But Mr Bates has told BBC Wales it was not aimed at anyone and certainly not at Lord Elis-Thomas. | But Mr Bates has told BBC Wales it was not aimed at anyone and certainly not at Lord Elis-Thomas. |
| Mr Bates explained that it was part of a joke with fellow AMs about different ways of pressing their voting buttons, although he did intend to make that particular gesture. | Mr Bates explained that it was part of a joke with fellow AMs about different ways of pressing their voting buttons, although he did intend to make that particular gesture. |
| He said: "My gesture was not directed at the Presiding Officer, for whom I have enormous respect and affection. | He said: "My gesture was not directed at the Presiding Officer, for whom I have enormous respect and affection. |
| Fellow AM Eleanor Burnham put out her hand to tick off Mr Bates | Fellow AM Eleanor Burnham put out her hand to tick off Mr Bates |
| "I was showing Rhodri Glyn Thomas which finger he should use to operate the assembly's modern push button voting system." | "I was showing Rhodri Glyn Thomas which finger he should use to operate the assembly's modern push button voting system." |
| Mr Bates, who represents Montgomeryshire, added: "If anyone has taken offence, then of course I apologise for that." | Mr Bates, who represents Montgomeryshire, added: "If anyone has taken offence, then of course I apologise for that." |
| It is not clear who posted the film on the website, or whether the pictures are from the official recording of assembly procedures. | |
| Mr Bates previously raised eyebrows in the assembly chamber when he appeared for a debate dressed as Father Christmas to raise funds for charity. | Mr Bates previously raised eyebrows in the assembly chamber when he appeared for a debate dressed as Father Christmas to raise funds for charity. |
| Lord Elis-Thomas has yet to comment on the incident. | Lord Elis-Thomas has yet to comment on the incident. |