Govt embarrassed by Commons defeat

Friday, 26 June 2009 12:00 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

Just weeks after the humiliating defeat over the Gurkhas issue the government suffered only its second defeat in the Commons ever yesterday.

MPs were voting on a series of motions creating 'regional grand committees' when the unusual event occurred.

The government was defeated by 104 votes to 98 on a minor proposal relating to a meeting of the East Midlands grand committee.

It is being viewed more as an embarrassment than a symbol of the government's eroding power over its backbenchers.

Leader of the House Harriet Harman was said to be "disappointed at the outcome", the Telegraph reported.

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