Big Ben will not bong for Brexit – thanks to Bercow

BIG Ben will not bong the night Britain leaves the EU after a Commons committee led by John Bercow decided it is not an ‘important national event’.

Brexit-supporting MPs last night reacted with fury after the House of Commons commission announced the chimes would not be heard on March 29 next year.

Commons leader Andrea Leadsom, who sits on the committee, has argued that the Great Bell should be sounded. But the commission decided the occasion did not warrant bringing back into use the bell, which is currently silent during a four-year renovation of the Elizabeth Tower.

The famous bongs were stopped last August because of health and safety fears for those working on the £60million restoration project, but have been heard since on Remembrance Sunday and New Year’s Eve.

A House of Commons spokesman last night said Brexit day was not an ‘important national event’. He said: ‘As previously announced, during refurbishment works parliament’s specialist clock makers will ensure that Big Ben will still strike for important national events such as Remembrance Sunday and New Year’s Eve.’

Tory MP Nigel Evans said: ‘It is the Remain element within Parliament which has now decided the UK cannot mark this significant milestone in our history by sounding Big Ben. It is hugely disappointing. We know that for a number of them they would prefer to stay in the EU.

‘There were commemorations for joining. There should be commemorations for leaving.’

Britain leaves the EU at 11pm on Friday, March 29.