MP raises panic attack concern
Fellows talks about her claustrophobia
Motherwell MP Marion Fellows pleaded for a change on how politicians vote after revealing she has been treated for claustrophobia.
The SNP politician said she “would have caused havoc” in a crowded House of Commons’ voting lobby last week had she suffered a panic attack.
And she called for the authorities to look at the health and safety issues involved in MPS voting.
Her plea came after MPS broke with protocol and shared images online of a crammed voting lobby during last week’s historic Brexit vote.
Ms Fellows said: “I make no apology for raising this issue yet again. I had long and successful treatment for claustrophobia shortly after I joined this House.
“On Tuesday night, I had to be assisted through the lobby by a right honourable Member – he is not in his place, so I will not name him – because although I did not have a panic attack, I felt very uncomfortable.
“I know what a claustrophobia panic attack is like, because I have suffered such attacks in the past.
“I assure Members that I would have caused havoc in the Lobby had I had an attack on Tuesday night.”
And she added: “I plead with the authorities, with the Chair of the Procedure Committee and anyone else who is listening, to consider having a debate in which we can put forward these points, so that the House can really look at the health and safety issues involved in the nonsense that happened in the Lobby on Tuesday evening.”