Commons Member Puts Teeth Into Debate, Loses One
LONDON — Business in the House of Commons came to an abrupt halt today when a lawmaker’s tooth fell out and rolled out of sight under a bench.
Edward Leigh, a member of Parliament from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Party, had just begun speaking in a debate on violent crime when the tooth, or part of a tooth, dropped out.
Other lawmakers tried to hide their smiles as a fellow member of Parliament, Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith, joined Leigh in searching for the tooth on the chamber’s green carpet. It could not be seen whether the missing tooth was found.
Leigh then apologized: “I am afraid I am having some trouble with my tooth that I visited the dentist with earlier this week. You will have to excuse my speaking style. It might not be as brisk as it normally is.”
His speech lasted five minutes.
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