A Labour MP amended the traditional oath of allegiance to HM The Queen required by anyone elected to the House of Commons before they take their seat. Although Richard Burgon did say the words he was asked to repeat, he added his own explaining that he was only taking the oath because he was required to.
The newly elected MP for Leeds East said: “As someone that believes that the head of state should be elected I make this oath in order to serve my constituents.”
He is considered to have been properly sworn in because he followed it with the correct statement: “I Richard Burgon swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”
His actions angered Tory MP Andrew Rosindell, who told Breitbart London:
“It’s amazing how little Labour understand this country. Their desire to run down Britain and denigrate our traditional institutions is why they were so comprehensively beaten in the general election. Yet they continue with this attack on the Royal family.
“I don’t think Mr Burgon should be allowed to take his seat until he takes a proper oath without amending it. He mustn’t be allowed to make a mockery of the Crown or the House of Commons.”
Burgon was not the only MP to make changes to the oath, two Scottish National Party MPs translated it into Gaelic. The Tory MP for Monmouth, David Davies, took the oath twice, in English and Welsh, which is considered in order. He followed up the effort by pointing out that he planned to run for the chairmanship of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee.
Jess Phillips, the new Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, appeared to have her fingers crossed when she read out the declaration. She is likely to have learned the trick from the deceased veteran Labour MP Tony Banks, who was seen to cross his fingers at a number of swearing in ceremonies.
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