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Syria debate: ministers missed vote to back government after bell clanger Syria debate: ministers missed vote to back government after bell clanger
(21 days later)
A Cabinet minister who failed to support the government's motion on Syria did not cast her vote because the bell that alerts MPs of a division in the House of Commons was apparently not rung, it has emerged.A Cabinet minister who failed to support the government's motion on Syria did not cast her vote because the bell that alerts MPs of a division in the House of Commons was apparently not rung, it has emerged.
International development secretary Justine Greening and Foreign Office minister Mark Simmonds failed to vote in the government motion to back military action in Syria.International development secretary Justine Greening and Foreign Office minister Mark Simmonds failed to vote in the government motion to back military action in Syria.
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 alerting MPs of a division in the Commons 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 alerting MPs of a division in the Commons 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.
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