'Powder attack' in House of Commons, UK

[Ian Osborne]

Believe it or not, a purple powder has been thrown from the public gallery in the House of Commons, aimed at Gordon Brown. Sitting has been suspended, and the MPs ushered out at speed. The Commons is now deserted. This only happened a few minutes ago, so we don't know what the powder was - I hope it was harmless!

 

[richardm]

Aimed at Tony Blair, in fact. Nobody knows what the powder was yet. Just a dye, perhaps?

 

[Ian Osborne]

Apparently, several powder missiles were thrown by a 'young man', who might not have been in the public gallery - he might have walked onto the floor. Several Labour MPs were seen brushing the powder off their ties and suits. Considering the anthrax scares of a few years ago, it's scary to think someone can get away with this.

 

[richardm]

.. and hit him on the back, too. Latest thoughts are that the thrower was from the "Fathers for Action" group, who protest about the treatment fathers get in divorce / custody cases.

Worst thing to come out of this so far is that the £500,000 glass screen put up on the public gallery to prevent this sort of thing happening has clearly been a total waste of money.

 

[Matabiri]

It was from the "special guests" area. Obviously we're all following this on the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3728617.stm

Benign powder. And

Commons Speaker Michael Martin said he expected a full explanation from the peer who invited the two men in by the end of the day. He suspended the right of Lords to sign in Commons visitors with immediate effect.

Those tricksy lords!

 

[The Don]

On the radio they were referred to by a member of the press (I think it was some guy from the Israeli press) as "devices" which makes them sound far more dangerous.

There is now much wailing and gnashing of teeth and the suggestion that there be no public access to the Houses of Parliament during Prime Minister's Questions. Sooner or later in order to protect our democratically elected representatives we shall be denied access to them altogether.

A quick suggestion for the security guys, "Why not search people coming in" then at least if he is attacked, the worst thing the PM can be hit with is a shoe (though some training shoes of my acquintance could probably be classed as WMD)

 

[Matabiri]

OThere is now much wailing and gnashing of teeth and the suggestion that there be no public access to the Houses of Parliament during Prime Minister's Questions. Sooner or later in order to protect our democratically elected representatives we shall be denied access to them altogether.

This is clearly Blair's Reichstag fire. Mark my words, this time tomorrow we'll be under martial law.

Edit to add: I think they make people pass through a metal detector on the way in. I don't think that body-searching everyone entering would be a particularly popular move... although maybe, after this...

 

[LFTKBS]

I'm certain that "Fathers for Action" will get what they want now.

Idiots.

"Cor blimey, guvna! That odd chap tossed some purplish powder our way! Praps we ou'a have a listen oo his demands, we should!"

 

[Matabiri]

I'm certain that "Fathers for Action" will get what they want now.

Well after this fiasco, I imagine they're feeling pretty cocky right now.

Sure it'll get beaten out of them soon enough*.

(* How many policemen does it take to change a light bulb?
None - the previous one fell down the stairs)

 

[richardm]

There is now much wailing and gnashing of teeth and the suggestion that there be no public access to the Houses of Parliament during Prime Minister's Questions. Sooner or later in order to protect our democratically elected representatives we shall be denied access to them altogether.

All they need to do is make sure that all members of the public sit behind the special and highly expensive screen that was installed for the specific purpose of making sure nobody could throw anything into the chamber. Quite simple really!

Although come to think of it, in these days when all debates are filmed and many are televised, how much does it matter if you don't get in to watch them actually happening?

 

[Matabiri]

Although come to think of it, in these days when all debates are filmed and many are televised, how much does it matter if you don't get in to watch them actually happening?

It's symbolic, and represents the openness of Parliament.

And demonstrates that the debates actually occur, and aren't just knocked up in a studio somewhere by The Man (see various Philip K. Dick).

 

[charley_bigtime]

>Believe it or not, a purple powder has been thrown from the public gallery in the House of Commons, aimed at Gordon Brown. Sitting has been suspended, and the MPs ushered out at speed. The Commons is now deserted. This only happened a few minutes ago, so we don't know what the powder was - I hope it was harmless!

Unreal.

I noticed that too. All of the spineless gits legged it asap. There was no attempt at quarantine as at that time they had absolutely no idea what the substance was. What if it was something dodgy?

All the MP’s ushered outside, chatting with journalists. If they had been infected – the whole of London would be infected by now.

I’m just glad it turned out to be…..kak!…….to be…….chkchckchckchckl!……ack…







etc.