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Commons appoints new Serjeant at Arms | |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The House of Commons has appointed a new Serjeant at Arms, responsible for keeping order during parliamentary debates. | The House of Commons has appointed a new Serjeant at Arms, responsible for keeping order during parliamentary debates. |
Nigerian-born Ugbana Oyet, currently an electrical engineer in Parliament, will take over the role later this month. | Nigerian-born Ugbana Oyet, currently an electrical engineer in Parliament, will take over the role later this month. |
He will replace Mohammed Kamal El-Hajji, who retired in the summer after holding the role since late 2015. | He will replace Mohammed Kamal El-Hajji, who retired in the summer after holding the role since late 2015. |
Mr Oyet, 43, said it would be a "great honour" to take up the ceremonial position, which dates back to 1415. | Mr Oyet, 43, said it would be a "great honour" to take up the ceremonial position, which dates back to 1415. |
"I'm a real people-person and love working closely with MPs, staff and members of the public," said Mr Oyet, who moved to the UK with his family in 1991. | "I'm a real people-person and love working closely with MPs, staff and members of the public," said Mr Oyet, who moved to the UK with his family in 1991. |
"I will do my best to enhance morale and improve the excellent service already provided by the Serjeant's office." | "I will do my best to enhance morale and improve the excellent service already provided by the Serjeant's office." |
The Serjeant at Arms is responsible for keeping order within the Commons chamber, committee rooms and public areas. | The Serjeant at Arms is responsible for keeping order within the Commons chamber, committee rooms and public areas. |
The person holding the role is the only official in Parliament allowed to carry weapons, which include a gilt, fine-blade sword. | The person holding the role is the only official in Parliament allowed to carry weapons, which include a gilt, fine-blade sword. |
The Serjeant also plays a prominent role in certain parliamentary ceremonies, including carrying the mace at the state opening of Parliament. | The Serjeant also plays a prominent role in certain parliamentary ceremonies, including carrying the mace at the state opening of Parliament. |
Mr Oyet is currently spearheading efforts to make the parliamentary estate carbon neutral by 2050. | Mr Oyet is currently spearheading efforts to make the parliamentary estate carbon neutral by 2050. |
Commons authorities credit him with reducing annual electricity costs on the estate from £1m to £275,000 last year. | Commons authorities credit him with reducing annual electricity costs on the estate from £1m to £275,000 last year. |
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