MPs were sent home more than two hours early this afternoon because of a leak from the roof of the House of Commons.
The leak began shortly before 3pm in the middle of a debate organised by Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson on the loan charge – a new tax due in April that will affect up to 100,000 contractors who used controversial tax avoidance schemes.
Conservative former minister Justine Greening had been speaking when the leak began.
Proceedings carried on for a few minutes, but the noise of water pouring into the press gallery soon became overwhelming.
The chamber was suspended after MPs began looking nervously at the torrent from the old rafters above.
Not the first time there has been a leak in Parliament I’m sure ? pic.twitter.com/ZcokXjtrxv
— ???? ??????? ?? (@RossThomson_MP) April 4, 2019
A House of Commons spokesman said: “We are aware of a water leak on the estate and we’re working urgently to resolve it.”
Following Ms Greening’s speech, Labour MP Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) 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 our Parliament is.”
The House of Commons adjourned for the day at 3.13pm, more than two hours earlier than scheduled, because of the water leak.
