Monday’s Commons debate on Theresa May’s decision to call off her Brexit vote ended in high drama as a Labour MP seized the ceremonial mace in protest.
The mace represents the Queen’s authority in parliament; without it, parliament cannot meet or pass laws.
As the government formally declared it would not continue with the debate on the withdrawal agreement, Lloyd Russell-Moyle marched forward to grab the mace in protest and held it up in the centre of the chamber to widespread outrage from the Tory benches.
Conservative MPs shouted “Disgrace” and “Expel him” as he raised the five-foot silver gilt object aloft.
The Brighton Kemptown MP appeared unsure of his next step and handed the mace back to Commons officials, as the Speaker, John Bercow, demanded he put it back down. The MP was suspended for the rest of the sitting.
Russell-Moyle initially refused the order and remained in the house until Bercow said: “No, no. He must leave or be escorted. He should leave.”
Speaking to reporters afterwards, the MP said: “The symbolic gesture of lifting the mace and removing it is that the will of parliament to govern is no longer there has been removed. I felt parliament had effectively given up its sovereign right to govern…
