Gloucester MP Richard Graham forced to apologise over Commons picture
AN APOLOGY has been issued by Gloucester's MP after he appeared in a photograph taken inside the House of Commons.
Richard Graham said sorry to the Serjeant at Arms after a picture was taken of him by a fellow MP in the debating chamber.
-
Apology: The offending picture
The chamber is governed by strict rules on photography, which is only permitted by the Speaker in exceptional circumstances.
Mr Graham later supplied the photograph to The Citizen and it accompanied an article on his maiden speech.
"It was not taken by me, nor when the Commons was sitting," said Mr Graham. "It was taken on the induction day.
"It is quite true that she (the Serjeant at Arms) had a quiet word with me."
The Conservative backbencher would not name the MP who took the picture. "It was a fellow MP who taking photographs of everything on day one," he said.
The picture shows Mr Graham, who ousted Labour's Parmjit Dhanda from office in the general election, smiling as he sat on the famous green benches.
Following a complaint by a member of the public, Jill Pay, the Serjeant at Arms confirmed she had investigated the matter, and spoken to Mr Graham.
Replying to the complaint, she wrote: "I have spoken to Richard Graham MP and explained that photography in the chamber is not permitted at any time without exceptional permission from the Speaker.
"I also explained that publication of prohibited photographs is inappropriate.
"Richard Graham has apologised, explaining that the photograph was taken on the first day in the chamber for new members during their induction sessions.
"He is now aware of the regulations both in terms of photography in the chamber and publication and will fully comply with the rules in future."
This is not the first embarrassment for the MP, who was late for a debate he had organised at Westminster forcing its cancellation. However, the rescheduled debate which highlighted apprentices, ran smoothly.
The woman who complained, from Stroud, said: "I was just flabbergasted at his arrogance. No pictures can be taken in the Chamber like that, and I felt it was an insult to the paper and his electorate."
21 Comments
View all
by Bishop_Hooper, somewhere in the county
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 2:09PM
“The only reason Dick Graham was voted in was mixture voter apathy and people not voting for their usual party.
Should he have attended the Gloucester Carnival? too right he should have. The more I see of this man, the more I can see that Gloucester returned the wrong person to Westminster.”
by Joe K, Barton & Tredworth
Friday, July 30 2010, 9:19AM
“Actually, it's not *entirely* impossible that he's holding the camera, at arm's length. might explain why his face is slightly out of focus and his left ear is missing. And since no-one else is 'in the frame'...”
by WML, Stroud
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:08PM
“It's pretty obvious that he didn't take the picture himself - as he's in it! I expect there are so many rules in the House that any newly elected MP couldn't possibly be aware of all of them, especially in the first few days.
It seems strange that so many people in Gloucester voted for Mr Graham, yet all he gets is criticism before he's even got started.”
by wyn morgan, .
Thursday, July 29 2010, 7:59PM
“Big mistake in voting him in.”
by GrumpyInGlos, Gloucester
Thursday, July 29 2010, 6:19PM
“I think TiG and a lot of the posters below are being very petty towards Mr Graham. Give the bloke a chance, ok he arrived 1 minute late for a speech, we've all been late at some point or other. This time he as appeared in a photograph that was taken by someone else. The rules states that no photographs are allowed to be taken in the chamber, Mr Graham did not take any photographs. How many of the other MP's pictured in the photo above have been asked to apologise? And this was not an isolated incident, MP Liz Kendall was caught taking photographs on the day of the Queens Speech. After that incident all new MP's were briefed on the rules governing photography in the Houses of Parliament. This incident involving Mr Graham happened prior to this date so perhaps he along with the other new MP's were not fully aware of these rules. As for Mr Graham not attending Gloucester Carnival, I do not blame him! anyway his remit is to represent the people of Gloucester in Parliament not attend the Carnival and other trivial matters. Give the bloke a chance!”
by Chris, Gloucester
Thursday, July 29 2010, 5:51PM
“This bloke is not turning out as well as hoped so far, that is if reports on him to date are a true refection. Perhaps when there is a real issue to address we'll see what he is made of.
Still could be worse the previous sit on the fence party line following muppet could have been re-elected were it not for the good sense of the people of Gloucester.
Let them down Mr Graham and you'll not be forgiven.”
by Talon, Gloucester
Thursday, July 29 2010, 5:39PM
“Lets face it, Richard Graham is an embarrassment to Gloucester (Fits in well with the local council). He is late for his maiden speach, encourages photographs of himself to be taken and published and does't turn up at Gloucesters only Carnival. I wish we had the power to change our MP for somebody competant when they fail miserably to represent the constituents that placed them there in good faith.. We are stuck with this embarrassment now... Thanks Mr Cameron.. I didn't vote this year but Parmjit Dhanda was a far more sensible and respectful representative for Gloucester.”
by maurglaws, gloucester
Thursday, July 29 2010, 3:48PM
“also playing cricket when the carnival was on”
by Ed, Gloucester
Thursday, July 29 2010, 3:10PM
“Fortunately TIG don't agree with the Stroud Tree Hugger and neither do I. A storm in a teacup.”
by Joe K, Barton & Tredworth
Thursday, July 29 2010, 1:55PM
“Nah, Neil. no *public* apologies whatsoever, so far. Only to the Commons authorities.”