This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/aug/30/tory-mps-miss-vote-syria
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Three Tory MPs miss vote on Syria motion | Three Tory MPs miss vote on Syria motion |
| (21 days later) | |
| Kenneth Clarke, the minister without portfolio, missed the Commons vote on the motion authorising military action in Syria for 'logistical family reasons', a spokeswoman said. | Kenneth Clarke, the minister without portfolio, missed the Commons vote on the motion authorising military action in Syria for 'logistical family reasons', a spokeswoman said. |
| Clarke, who attended the National Security Council meeting that approved the government's plans, was "fully supportive" of the government motion, she said. | Clarke, who attended the National Security Council meeting that approved the government's plans, was "fully supportive" of the government motion, she said. |
| International development secretary Justine Greening and junior foreign minister Mark Simmonds also failed to vote, because the bell that alerts MPs of a division was apparently not rung. | International development secretary Justine Greening and junior foreign minister Mark Simmonds also failed to vote, because the bell that alerts MPs of a division was apparently not rung. |
| It is understood Greening and Simmonds were in a room near the Commons chamber discussing a different foreign policy matter, but because the clerks failed to ring the bell they were not aware the vote was taking place. | It is understood Greening and Simmonds were in a room near the Commons chamber discussing a different foreign policy matter, but because the clerks failed to ring the bell they were not aware the vote was taking place. |
| Both MPs voted against the Labour amendment at 10pm, which called for "compelling evidence" the Assad regime was behind the chemical attack. | Both MPs voted against the Labour amendment at 10pm, which called for "compelling evidence" the Assad regime was behind the chemical attack. |
| But Simmonds then apparently asked to speak to Greening about a separate Foreign Office issue and the pair went to a meeting room – a small room near the chamber which ministers often use between votes. | But Simmonds then apparently asked to speak to Greening about a separate Foreign Office issue and the pair went to a meeting room – a small room near the chamber which ministers often use between votes. |
| Once there, they apparently did not hear the bell for the second vote. | Once there, they apparently did not hear the bell for the second vote. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |