MP's fury at Commons cow ban

Shropshire MP Daniel Kawczynski had a beef with the Commons authorities because they have refused to let him take a cow into the parliamentary precincts.

The Shrewsbury & Atcham MP sought permission to take one of his constituent's cattle to Westminster as part of a demonstration by farmers later this month.

The animal was to have been used to illustrate the threat from bovine tuberculosis to Britain's dairy industry, but the Tory MP has been told cows are not among the few animals allowed on to the premises.

Mr Kawczynski's request went right to the top - to Commons Speaker Michael Martin, who confirmed that the Palace of Westminster is a no-go area for cattle.

In a letter from director general of facilities John Borley, the MP was told: "I am sorry not to be able to meet your request to bring a cow into the palace precincts.

"I do appreciate the seriousness of the issue that you are dealing with, and would in any case wish to support any member of the House in any way that I could.

"But I have to tell you that animals are simply not allowed onto the grounds, with the sole exceptions of guide dogs, sniffer dogs and police horses. The House would not wish to establish a precedent for further exceptions, however important the cause concerned."

Mr Kawczynski, chairman of the all-party group for dairy farmers, has also been refused permission to take the cow, belonging to farmer Andrew Bebb, onto the small green opposite the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Borley told him: "I am afraid there is a hard and fast rule that no props of any kind are permitted there. Again, there is a concern over establishing precedents.

"The Clerk of the House has spoken with Mr Speaker about your request, and I can confirm that this remains the position."

Mr Kawczynski vowed not to let the matter rest. He said: "I am furious that they are preventing me from highlighting the appalling situation of bovine TB in this country.

"Thousands of dairy farmers around England are going bust as a result of this appalling disease and the Government is not lifting a finger."