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Commons leaks after thunderstorm Commons leaks after heavy storms
(about 13 hours later)
The latest Commons leaks inquiry will not have to look far for a culprit - after the heavens opened on the Palace of Westminster. The latest Commons leaks inquiry will not have to look far for a culprit - after Westminster was hit by storms.
MPs and their staff have been trying to deal with water dripping from ceilings in the historic building following a thunderstorm and floods at Westminster. Wastepaper bins were pressed into action to catch rainwater after the biggest downpour many MPs could recall.
Labour MP and ex minister Tom Watson posted pictures of green buckets with Commons logos on his Twitter page. The corridor leading from the central lobby to the House of Lords was closed, while two corners of Portcullis House were cordoned off with yellow barriers.
Thunder was audible in the Commons chamber as MPs debated the abolition of the 10p tax rate on Tuesday.
Labour MP Frank Field, pushing an amendment to compensate more people who lost out, said: "The gods showed their displeasure that we were having to have this debate today."
Labour MP and ex minister Tom Watson posted pictures of green wastepaper baskets with Commons logos on his Twitter page.
He wrote: "Thunder storm creates chaos in Commons committee corridor".He wrote: "Thunder storm creates chaos in Commons committee corridor".
But the problem was not confined to the 19th Century Parliament building.But the problem was not confined to the 19th Century Parliament building.
Transport minister Sadiq Khan also tweeted about leaks at Portcullis House, the £235m office complex for MPs opened in 2000.Transport minister Sadiq Khan also tweeted about leaks at Portcullis House, the £235m office complex for MPs opened in 2000.
He wrote: "Just finished meeting in Portcullis House in Parliament, which was built in the late 1990s. The roof is leaking. Oh dear..."He wrote: "Just finished meeting in Portcullis House in Parliament, which was built in the late 1990s. The roof is leaking. Oh dear..."
Labour whip Kerry McCarthy said it felt "rather gothic" in the Palace of Westminster and also spoke of "bedraggled MPs" coming back from a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Labour's Eric Joyce posted: "The most spectacular storm in my eight years at Westminster. Big licks of lightning from out of my office to Big Ben."
The underpass between Portcullis House and New Palace Yard also underwent a clean-up operation.
Portcullis House, which is across the road from the Houses of Parliament, was plagued by problems including a leaking roof and malfunctioning lifts in the run up to its opening.Portcullis House, which is across the road from the Houses of Parliament, was plagued by problems including a leaking roof and malfunctioning lifts in the run up to its opening.