Labour backbencher Clive Lewis has been branded disrespectful after putting his feet on the furniture in the Commons like an unruly teenager.
The Norwich South MP, a Labour frontbencher under Jeremy Corbyn, was spotted ‘trotters up’ on a back row of seats yesterday, resting his feet on the headrests of the seats in front of him.
It is his latest transgression in the chamber, having already caused a row with a republican protest while swearing in.
He was told to take the oath of allegiance to the monarchy a second time, having failed to confirm he would support the King’s heirs as well as the man himself.
After footage of him relaxing in the Commons yesterday hit social media, users gave their verdict, with one saying: ‘The fact that I have to say this to the children in my school, and they learn, doesn’t say much about you attitude. Feet down now #disrespectful.’
The Norwich South MP, a Labour frontbencher under Jeremy Corbyn, was spotted ‘trotters up’ on a back row of seats yesterday, resting his feet on the headrests of the seats in front of him.
It is his latest transgression in the chamber, having already caused a row with a republican protest while swearing in.
Mr Lewis was ridiculed for saying he was affirming ‘under protest’ as he was sworn back in to Parliament last week in the wake of the election.
However, Mr Lewis was later warned by the Commons authorities that he faced fines and even losing his seat unless he repeated the full wording – including promising loyalty to the King’s ‘heirs and successors’.
The bashful Norwich South MP returned to the House to avert the prospect of challenges under an 1866 law, but still moaned that politicians should not be made to honour the crown.
The Parliamentary authorities give politicians a fair amount of latitude when swearing in, and it is rare to be obliged to try again. But they legally have to speak the core phrases in order to sit in the Commons.
Mr Lewis previously said: ‘I take this oath under protest and in the hope that one day my fellow citizens will democratically decide to live in a republic.
‘Until that time I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, according to law.’
Mr Lewis later returned to the House with the last batch of MPs being sworn, saying he was ‘elected to Parliament to represent my constituents and our country to the best of my ability, to defend democracy and uphold human rights’.
‘One day I hope all members of Parliament will be entitled to swear an oath of allegiance based on those values.’
However, he proceeded to say: ‘I do solemnly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.’
The former British Army officer has long made clear his anti-monarchist views, having called for a referendum on the monarchy in 2020 when he ran to succeed Mr Corbyn as leader – coming last in the election.