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Protesters removed from EU debate Protesters removed from EU debate
(20 minutes later)
Various protesters have interrupted a House of Lords debate ahead of a vote that could ratify the EU Lisbon treaty.Various protesters have interrupted a House of Lords debate ahead of a vote that could ratify the EU Lisbon treaty.
A woman was removed from the public gallery shouting "give us our referendum". A man was later removed shouting "the Irish have voted no".A woman was removed from the public gallery shouting "give us our referendum". A man was later removed shouting "the Irish have voted no".
A third protester was also heard during what is the final Parliamentary hurdle for the bill ratifying the treaty. Two more protesters were also heard during what is the final Parliamentary hurdle to the treaty's ratification.
Earlier, Conservative leader David Cameron urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to declare the EU treaty "dead".Earlier, Conservative leader David Cameron urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to declare the EU treaty "dead".
The EU (Amendment) Bill could be given Royal Assent on Thursday and the government would then take deposit documents known as "instruments of ratification" in Rome.The EU (Amendment) Bill could be given Royal Assent on Thursday and the government would then take deposit documents known as "instruments of ratification" in Rome.
'Technically dead''Technically dead'
But it will not come into force until all 27 countries have also deposited their instruments of ratification. But the Lisbon treaty will not come into force until all 27 countries have also deposited their instruments of ratification.
If one or more countries does not ratify the treaty, a future British government could withdraw from it.If one or more countries does not ratify the treaty, a future British government could withdraw from it.
During the debate Conservative peer Lord Leach claimed the Czechs had postponed ratification of EU Treaty.
Conservative peer Lord Howell has tabled an amendment to delay the third reading of the bill to until 20 October in the light of the Irish vote.Conservative peer Lord Howell has tabled an amendment to delay the third reading of the bill to until 20 October in the light of the Irish vote.
It's a last-ditch attempt to block or delay the bill Labour's Baroness Symons Declare treaty dead, Brown urgedIt's a last-ditch attempt to block or delay the bill Labour's Baroness Symons Declare treaty dead, Brown urged
Earlier Lord Howell told BBC News: "The thing needs thinking about and it seems a bit silly to close it all down now and ratify a treaty which is technically dead."Earlier Lord Howell told BBC News: "The thing needs thinking about and it seems a bit silly to close it all down now and ratify a treaty which is technically dead."
Three people, believed to be pro-referendum protesters have been detained so far, a spokesman for the House of Lords said. During the debate, a woman was removed after demanding a referendum on the treaty and shouting: "It is a democracy". She was followed by three more protesters, at intervals, demanding a referendum.
During the debate, a woman was removed after demanding a referendum on the treaty and shouting: "It is a democracy." One of those to be interrupted was Labour former minister Baroness Symons, as she made a pro-EU speech. Speaking over the shouting she said moves to delay the third reading were an effort to delay the "properly constitutional legislative process" of Parliament.
The second protester to be removed described the House of Lords as "unelected and unaccountable". 'Insult to Parliament'
A third man was removed shortly afterwards, having shouted out: "This is unjust" during a pro-EU speech by Labour former minister Baroness Symons who said moves to delay the third reading were an effort to delay the "properly constitutional legislative process" of Parliament.
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Goodhart urged any more protesters to shout before he began his speech and "get it over with".Liberal Democrat peer Lord Goodhart urged any more protesters to shout before he began his speech and "get it over with".
During the debate crossbencher Lord Neill, referring to the Irish referendum, told peers the "bill has been crippled by the shot that has gone through it".During the debate crossbencher Lord Neill, referring to the Irish referendum, told peers the "bill has been crippled by the shot that has gone through it".
And the Conservative peer Lord King said it had become "a bit of a muddle" and peers could not know what would happen in an upcoming EU Council meeting in Brussels this week.And the Conservative peer Lord King said it had become "a bit of a muddle" and peers could not know what would happen in an upcoming EU Council meeting in Brussels this week.
He asked if they were expected to do "a third reading on a corpse" adding: "It seems to me an insult to Parliament."He asked if they were expected to do "a third reading on a corpse" adding: "It seems to me an insult to Parliament."
But Baroness Symonds said the Conservatives had "freely admitted they don't like the treaty" and the amendment was "a pretext": "It's a last-ditch attempt to block or delay the bill."But Baroness Symonds said the Conservatives had "freely admitted they don't like the treaty" and the amendment was "a pretext": "It's a last-ditch attempt to block or delay the bill."
Several people, including the Labour former leader Neil Kinnock, spoke against the amendment, saying that ratifying the treaty would strengthen the prime minister's position at the EU Council meeting.
Lord Kinnock said delaying the vote would put the UK "on the sidelines", while ratifying it would put Mr Brown in a stronger position to "safeguard the interests of Ireland".
But former SDP leader Lord Owen said he thought it would be better to delay the third reading until after the Brussels summit this week: "If it's really not clear after the heads of government meeting, then the amendment can come back at a later stage."But former SDP leader Lord Owen said he thought it would be better to delay the third reading until after the Brussels summit this week: "If it's really not clear after the heads of government meeting, then the amendment can come back at a later stage."
EU foreign ministers have said member countries which have not yet ratified the treaty should still press ahead.EU foreign ministers have said member countries which have not yet ratified the treaty should still press ahead.