PM in a-peal over Big Ben

COMMONS chiefs could rethink plans to silence Big Ben for four years after Theresa May intervened.

Experts said the bell, which hits 118 decibels, must be stopped until 2021 to protect workmen renovating Elizabeth Tower.

But the PM yesterday urged the Speaker, as chair of the Commons Commission, to ensure “we can continue to hear Big Ben through those four years”.

The Commission later said it would “consider the length of time that the bells will fall silent”.