'don't be sheepish'

Brexit-backing MP Chloe Smith welcomed into the House of Commons with her BABY to vote on triggering Article 50

The Norwich North MP interrupted her maternity leave for the historic vote

Amanda Devlin

Published: 23:59, 1 Feb 2017
Updated: 0:11, 2 Feb 2017

AN MP on maternity leave brought her new bouncing baby into Parliament so she could support triggering Article 50 in the historic Brexit vote.

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, was welcomed into the House of Commons by Speaker of the House John Bercow.

MP Chloe Smith brought her new bouncing baby into the House of Commons for the Brexit vote — MP Chloe Smith brought her new bouncing baby into the House of Commons for the Brexit voteCredit: //www.parliamentlive.tv

He shouted: "I say to the honourable lady, don't be sheepish about it! The little baby is welcome to come in. There's no problem."

Despite backing Brexit today, the MP was opposed to leaving the EU before June's referendum.

Announcing her plans to vote in Parliament today, Mrs Smith wrote on her website: "Brexit is now the central issue of our times.

"So, I'll be there voting for this crucial Bill to uphold the democratic result of the referendum.

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"I'm grateful to everyone in north Norwich who's let me know their views."

Since giving birth to a baby boy in September, the MP has used Shared Parental Leave with her husband Sandy.

She plans to fully return to work in Norwich and Parliament at the start of April.

Mrs Smith added: "Being a new parent is great.

"I'm grateful to everyone who is supporting me while I take leave to begin to raise our son.

The MP says she is going to be juggling her job with being a new mum — The MP says she is going to be juggling her job with being a new mumCredit: Alamy

Speaker John Bercow welcomed the MP's baby into the House of Commons today — Speaker John Bercow welcomed the MP's baby into the House of Commons todayCredit: //www.parliamentlive.tv

"I know it'll be hard to juggle everything as a working parent but it's important for that support to be there in my workplace as in any other, so we can have all walks of life represented in Parliament.

"I'm looking forward to returning fully to serve my constituents after my parental leave."

Ms Smith was the youngest MP in the House of Commons when she was first elected at 27 years old in 2009.

Speaker of the House told the MP not to be 'sheepish' about bringing her child into Parliament — Speaker of the House told the MP not to be 'sheepish' about bringing her child into ParliamentCredit: //www.parliamentlive.tv

Today one in five of all MPs defied Britain’s EU referendum verdict to try to vote down Brexit during a historic first Commons showdown.

The bill has passed its first hurdle with an overwhelming majority after 498 MPs voted to pass it tonight.

A total of 114 members voted to block giving PM Theresa May permission to start Article 50 exit talks by the end of next month.

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