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As it happenedended

Brexit: Labour MP suspended from Commons for stealing ceremonial mace in protest at vote delay

The latest Brexit developments at Westminster

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Benjamin Kentish,Ashley Cowburn
Monday 10 December 2018 18:45 EST
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Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle suspended from Commons for stealing ceremonial mace in protest at Brexit vote delay

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A Labour MP was ejected from the House of Commons for seizing the ceremonial mace in protest at Theresa May's decision to delay a key Brexit vote.

In dramatic scenes, Lloyd Russell-Moyle swung the antique symbol of parliamentary authority from its holder after the government confirmed it would delay the vote on the prime minister's Brexit deal.

Tory MPs screamed "expel him" as Mr Russell-Moyle was promptly asked to leave the chamber by Speaker John Bercow.

The incident came after Ms May faced fury from MPs for calling off a vote on her Brexit deal, in an attempt to seek further "assurances" from the EU.

The prime minister admitted her blueprint would have been "rejected by a significant margin" on Tuesday due to major rebellion by Conservative MPs, as she confirmed plans in an eleventh-hour Commons statement.

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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn secured an emergency debate on the delay on Tuesday, saying "the government’s incompetence can’t be used as an excuse to threaten the country with no-deal".

It comes as the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the UK can unilaterally revoke Article 50 and stop the Brexit process following a "democratic process".

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