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You can't say that here - whatever it means

Feb 6 2008 By Jonathan Walker

NEW controversy about bad language in the Commons, after Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland insulted a Minister with a word which shall not be repeated here.

Yardley MP John Hemming (Lib Dem) reports that he once tried to use the word "egregious", meaning outrageously bad, in a House of Commons petition - but was told it was unacceptable.

Clearly, standards have fallen even in the short time Mr Hemming has been there.

Keetch is quitting the Commons - but will his colleagues miss him?

The Lib Dem MP, who retires at the next election, said: "To be honest, I have become disillusioned with some of my colleagues.

"You look around the House of Commons and see some Members who have been there for 15, 20, 25 years and who are frankly doing nothing, particularly the ones with large majorities.

"It is not part of my plan to be hanging around the chamber waiting for death."

And they speak very highly of you too, Paul.

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