MP rebuked for not wearing a tie

A NOTTS MP today said his "point was made" when he was rebuked in the Commons for not wearing a tie as he rose to speak of Parliament becoming an "irrelevant old boys club".

Graham Allen, MP for Nottingham North, stood up to protest about a group of Tory MPs blocking a bid by the UK Youth Parliament to use the Commons chamber for one day.

As he rose to make a point of order, Deputy Speaker Sir Alan Haselhurst told him: "It is not appropriate to address the House without being properly attired."

Mr Allen was wearing a suit but his shirt collar was open with no tie. It is common practice in the Commons chamber for men to wear both jackets and ties.

Mr Allen later said, outside the Commons: "I rose to make a point of order today about the Neanderthal MPs in Parliament who are still obstructing the UK's Youth Parliament who wish to use the chamber.

"This typifies the backward, inward-looking nature of many MPs which has led the House of Commons to appear like an irrelevant old boys club to so many electors.

"However the Deputy Speaker interrupted me to tell me I was not allowed to make a point of order in the chamber as ... I was in a state of undress. Point made!"

Mr Allen said he was wearing his "best suit" and had been offered a tie by a fellow Labour MP but did not have time to put it on.

The Government has tabled a motion which would allow the UKYP to use the chamber this year after it held its 2008 annual meeting in the House of Lords.

The motion has been on the order paper several times but has been repeatedly blocked by a group of Tories.