FILE PHOTO: A general view of The Houses of Parliament in London November 9, 2006. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty/File Photo
LONDON (Reuters) – Britains parliament was forced to close early on Thursday after a leak in the 19th century Gothic palace caused water to rain down into the debating chamber.
Lawmakers were debating tax policy when water began cascading into the press area overlooking lawmakers seats, forcing Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to suspend the session.
Speaking over the noise of pouring water, Member of Parliament Justin Madders, said: “I hope I can complete my speech before rain stops play. I think there is probably some kind of symbol, about how many people view how broken parliament is, going on there.”
Thursdays sitting in the lower chamber, the House of Commons, was then ended more than two hours early. The upper chamber, the House of Lords, continued to debate Brexit in a separate part of the building.
The Palace of Westminster – parts of which date back to 1097 – has been slipping into disrepair for decades, requiring frequent repairs and upgrades. Much of the crumbling limestone exterior is clad in scaffolding.
Plans are being made for a multi-billion pound restoration programme which could require parliament to be Read More
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RT
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