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January 16, 2009

Parliament defends Commons broadcasting blackout

By sally

Parliament’s broadcasting heads have defended a decision to stop screening of John McDonnell’s Commons outburst yesterday, the Daily Mail has reported.

According to the Mail’s report, laws passed in 1989 ruled that any disruption in the chamber cannot be broadcast.

Screening was stopped yesterday after McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, reacted angrily to Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon’s announcement of plans for a third runway and sixth terminal at the London airport.

McDonnell siezed the mace – the symbol of authority in Parliament – and shouted at Hoon, calling him, “a disgrace.”

Broadcasting chiefs instead screened the face of deputy Speaker Sir Alan Haselhurst.

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