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Labour Party MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle was ordered to leave the House of Commons for the day after he picked up a ceremonial mace in protest of Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to delay the vote on her Brexit deal, The Independent reports. In a video, Russell-Moyle can be seen approaching the front of the room and grabbing the “antique symbol of parliamentary authority” from its holder. Tory MPs shouted “expel him” and Speaker John Bercow immediately denounced Russell-Moyle’s actions. “Order, put it back, no, no,” Bercow can be heard saying. After the mace was returned to its place, Bercow ejected Russell-Moyle from the debate. “I’m sorry but under the power given to me by standing order 43—and I think the honorable gentleman will know the implications of his actions—I must order the honorable gentleman to withdraw immediately from the House for the remainder of this day sitting,” he said.
Later Monday, Russell-Moyle criticized May on Twitter. “Thankfully they haven’t locked me in the Tower of London but if they had I’d expect May to be in the cell next to me for her treatment of Parliament today,” he wrote. “I’m allowed back tomorrow after my symbolic protest against this government, wish May wasn’t allowed back.” Russell-Moyle went public about his HIV positive status late last month.