Red card for MPs playing football in UK Parliament
A group of five UK MPs has been told off for playing a game of keepy-uppy in London's House of Commons after the parliamentary women's team was forced to cancel its first match for official duties.
Key points:
- Five MPs took to House of Commons with a football after their first match was cancelled
- Speaker John Bercow reprimanded the MPs for using the historic chamber to show off their skills
- MPs created the team to show women they have the same opportunities as men to enjoy sport
Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Hannah Bardell tweeted a video of herself playing football in the iconic chamber after the MPs postponed their game so they could vote in the Commons on Tuesday evening (local time).
The SNP MP got in trouble with the Speaker of the House after posing for photos between the iconic green benches in the Commons, along with Conservative MP Tracey Crouch and Labour ministers Louise Haigh, Stephanie Peacock and Alison McGovern.
Speaker John Bercow told the MPs "the historic chamber should not be used for this type of activity".
In a statement addressed to the Commons, Mr Bercow said: "It has been brought to my attention that some [football] skills were displayed in the chamber yesterday evening after the House rose.
"I am informed that the doorkeepers on duty told the members concerned that the chamber was not the place for this activity, however, those doorkeepers were advised that permission had been given.
"Let me assure the House that that permission certainly did not come from me.
"I think I can speak for us all when I say that our historic chamber should not be used for this type of activity and I gently remind colleagues if they are seeking to use the chamber outside of sitting hours beyond for the purpose of simply showing it to guests, frankly they should write to me asking for their request to be considered.
"I have said what I have said, there are no hard feelings and I consider the matter to be closed."
Mr Bercow said he had received "gracious, indeed fulsome" letters apologising for the game of keepy-uppy from Ms Crouch, Ms Peacock and Ms Haigh.
Speaking to Sky News, Ms Bardell explained the reasoning behind the stunt.
"[Football] has long been the domain of men but it's a sport that women and girls enjoy and excel at the world over," she said.
"It's therefore really important we reflect that across MPs, staff and journalists and give them the same opportunity to network and enjoy the sport.
"[The video was] a fun way to show that whilst there is much division on many issues, sport and [soccer] is something we can all agree on and have some fun with."
The parliamentary women's soccer team has secured sponsorship and is in the process of setting up matches with other teams in the UK.
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