Lisbon Treaty debate: Lib Dems flounce out

The interminable and frustrating debate on the Lisbon was livened up this afternoon by a major spat between the Liberal Democrats and the Deputy Speaker, Sir Michael Lord. Ed Davey was unhappy I think that a Lib Dem amendment hadn’t been selected by the speaker; he tried making a point of order, was ruled against – but kept pressing the point, with the support of colleagues such as Simon Hughes. In the end the Deputy Speaker ran out of patience and suspended Ed Davey from the House for the day – whereupon the Lib Dems, apart from Jo Swinson and a chap I don’t recognise, collectively upped and left the chamber.

All good fun.