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MP suspended after mace protest | MP suspended after mace protest |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A Labour MP has been suspended from the House of Commons for five days after angry exchanges over the decision to approve a new Heathrow runway. | A Labour MP has been suspended from the House of Commons for five days after angry exchanges over the decision to approve a new Heathrow runway. |
John McDonnell was sanctioned after he picked up the mace, the ornamental club which represents the royal authority of Parliament, in a breach of protocol. | John McDonnell was sanctioned after he picked up the mace, the ornamental club which represents the royal authority of Parliament, in a breach of protocol. |
The Hayes and Harlington MP said the decision not to hold a vote on the runway was a "national disgrace". | The Hayes and Harlington MP said the decision not to hold a vote on the runway was a "national disgrace". |
Anyone manhandling the mace is considered in contempt of Parliament. | Anyone manhandling the mace is considered in contempt of Parliament. |
'Disgrace' | 'Disgrace' |
During a statement by Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon on Heathrow Mr McDonnell left his seat, grabbed the mace - which dates from the reign of Charles II - and put it down on an empty bench on the Labour side of the House. | During a statement by Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon on Heathrow Mr McDonnell left his seat, grabbed the mace - which dates from the reign of Charles II - and put it down on an empty bench on the Labour side of the House. |
While doing so, he shouted: "It's a disgrace to the democracy of this country." | While doing so, he shouted: "It's a disgrace to the democracy of this country." |
This is about asserting the right of MPs to decide the policies of this country and not having them bulldozed through without a vote in the House of Commons John McDonnell href="/1/hi/uk_politics/82544.stm">Significance of the mace | |
He was immediately "named" by the deputy speaker of the House, a move which effectively suspended Mr McDonnell from the House for five days. | He was immediately "named" by the deputy speaker of the House, a move which effectively suspended Mr McDonnell from the House for five days. |
Mr McDonnell, whose constituency includes Heathrow airport, then left the chamber. | Mr McDonnell, whose constituency includes Heathrow airport, then left the chamber. |
Later he told the BBC that he would not apologise for his actions because he was representing his constituents and their rights to have their voices heard. | Later he told the BBC that he would not apologise for his actions because he was representing his constituents and their rights to have their voices heard. |
By doing what he did, he said he was asserting the values of "democracy and the sovereignty of Parliament" stemming back "to the days of Cromwell". | By doing what he did, he said he was asserting the values of "democracy and the sovereignty of Parliament" stemming back "to the days of Cromwell". |
"This is about asserting the right of MPs to decide the policies of this country and not having them bulldozed through without a vote in the House of Commons." | "This is about asserting the right of MPs to decide the policies of this country and not having them bulldozed through without a vote in the House of Commons." |
Several MPs have been banished from the Commons in the past for wielding the mace, including former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine in 1976. | Several MPs have been banished from the Commons in the past for wielding the mace, including former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine in 1976. |
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