A LABOUR peer has been humiliated in the House of Lords after seemingly getting a little too comfy on the luxurious red benches.
Labour member Lord Young of Norwood Green was told he could not take part in a debate because he had fallen asleep.
The embarrassing exchange came during discussions about regulations governing genetic modification.
As he stood to speak in the debate, Young said: “I wanted to take part in this debate because I stake my position as somebody who is a Remainer, but if there’s two things that I welcome in coming out of the Common Market, one is the CAP and this particular gene editing…”
Government whip Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist intervened to say: “I am sorry, but the noble lord was fast asleep for the entire duration of the minister’s speech.
“He really should not participate in this debate having failed to take advantage of the ability to hear him.”
Young, a former union boss who has also served as a BBC governor, replied: “Sorry?”
Lady Bloomfield said: “I am afraid the noble lord was fast asleep for the entirety of the minister’s opening speech.”
Young replied that he was “not now” asleep, but Lady Bloomfield said: “Well I had to send a note to you – in order to wake you up – by the doorkeeper.”
The Draft Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022 debated by peers would allow the UK to deviate from EU law on genetic modification of crops.
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