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Commons Speaker John Bercow determined to rid house of vermin
18 Jan 2010Commons Speaker John Bercow may be able to keep rowdy MPs in line but it appears he was having trouble keeping "Order Order" in his own kitchen.
It was a case of Speaker versus Squeaker as Twitter users were regaled with his efforts to catch a mouse found roaming his plush official residence.
The updates came courtesy of Mr Bercow's wife Sally who informed her followers that the Speaker was being "very manly" in his efforts.
After spotting the rodent run under the dishwasher in the apartment yesterday, Mrs Bercow appealed for advice as "the mouse catcher man doesn't work on Sundays".
Suggestions ranged from using the Commons mace to a chocolate-baited humane trap - but the Bercows only had Quality Street left over from Christmas, it transpired.
A spokesman said the last information he had was that the offending mouse had evaded capture and disappeared somewhere in the couple's family accommodation above the formal residence.
Mice were a particular problem at the Palace of Westminster, he said, as it was built on land reclaimed from the neighbouring Thames.
Reader views (7)
If you have a vermin problem in the House, I believe a general election is an effective de-lousing mechanism.
- Kevin Lynch, Dublin, 18/01/2010 12:32
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Send Blair in - I'm sure he can find some Weapons of Mouse Destruction..
- John Bull, Londonistan, UK, 18/01/2010 12:30
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Vermin overdose is generally only a problem in the first couple rows of whoever's in power at the time ...
- Marianne, SW France/London, 18/01/2010 11:26
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Plainly a cat is the answer, there always seem to be an abundance of tomcats hanging about in the lobby
Surely the Bewcows could employ their sevices?
- Db, Poitiers France, 18/01/2010 09:37
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Order in the Mouse!
- Ken, Bexleyheath, 18/01/2010 09:32
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That's ironic most of the vermin voted him in as Speaker.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 18/01/2010 09:18
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Really? Has he resigned yet or is it merely imminent?
- Bob, Cheam, 18/01/2010 08:45
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