Water leak 'rains' next to Boris Johnson's chair closes the Commons in sad metaphor

A bin has been set up to catch drips from the ceiling of the House of Commons - as Parliament appears to be collapsing at the same speed as the management of Boris Johnson Boris Johnson on the government benches (file photo)

The Commons chamber was forced to close for an hour due to a water leak that 'rained' next to Boris Johnson's seat.

Parliament appeared to crumble once again today - in a perfect metaphor for the chaos at the heart of government, where the Prime Minister has resigned and 12 Tories are jostling to replace him.

It is understood that the leak from an air conditioning unit was quickly contained and no damage was done to the heritage features of the chamber.

But it is understood that he spilled water on the carpet between the table and the area where the Prime Minister would be seated.

A bin was placed to collect the drips, which a source described to the Guardian as a "powerful shower".

This is the second time in three years that a leak has interrupted debates in the House of Commons - and the first has also served as a metaphor, occurring during the Brexit wars.

This time Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle told MPs the air conditioning unit was in a 'nearby office' and assured MPs it was 'safe' to return in the bedroom.

This happened hours after the Met Office issued an amber warning for extreme heat.

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey tweeted: 'Surreal day at the Palace of Westminster.

"The sun is shining outside at scorchio level and it has been raining in the Chamber. DWP Qs delayed until 330 at the earliest".

The 2019 leak is believed to have been more torrential, as it started in the roof above the press gallery canteen, upstairs above the bedroom.

On this occasion, the smell of damp wood rose from the benches as the strong flow of stagnant rainwater cascaded down, canceling the session for the rest of the day.

The leak in Parliament in 2019, photographed by MP Ross Thompson (

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