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Our last line of defence - men in tights
A GROWN man dressed in stockings and tailcoat, jaunty cravat and ceremonial sword slung at his side, rugby tackles a long haired protester to the ground as bewildered middle aged men look on.
No, not a French farce, but an actual scene from the most extraordinary breach of security seen sinceMichael Fagan broke into the Queen's bedroom.
The sight of the assistant sergeant at arms, one of the most senior security officers in the Commons, throwinghimself at a protester,would have been funny had it not been potentially so serious.
James Gray, MP, the Tories' rural affairs spokesman, was just getting into his flow in the Commons debate when he was interrupted by a commotion.
He raised a weary eyebrow expecting to catch the eye of some mouthy Labour backbencher, but instead caught a sidelong view of some unexpected and uninvited visitors.
All he could do was look, bottom lip flapping in disbelief, as four protesters flew past him and started shouting at Rural Affairs minister Alun Michael.
As a fifth intruder got in through another entrance - with an army of doorkeepers, Westminster's finest crack team, rushing behind him - at least one MP decided he was not going to take such audacity lying down.
Portly Tory Sir Patrick Cormack (Staffordshire South), with uncharacteristic speed, sprang up and grabbed one the protesters round the neck and held him fast.
And the protester also got a serious tongue lashing with the honourable member wagging his finger and telling him he was a disgrace to democracy.
Meanwhile, the doorkeepers, black tailcoats flapping furiously, tried to grab a protester each, tripping overthemselves - with the assistant sergeant at arms actually hitting the deck, his stockinged legs and buckled shoes in the air.
Alhough the ancient position of sergeant at arms with all the regalia that comes with it, goes down well with the tourists, some experts believe he is not the best person to be in charge of security at the Commons.
This latest incident may convince the authorities it is time to take the responsibility for security out of the hands of the men in tights and give it to the boys in blue.
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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