Cracks in the glass roof and a «flood» flooded the atrium of the Houses of Parliament

Viewers react in shock as water gushes from a crack in the roof of Portcullis House's atrium. Photo: Natasha Porter

The reason for the leak is unclear.

‌One frustrated MP complained about the state of the building, regarding the new addition to the centuries-old estate, saying: “It was only built in the fucking nineties. Just another day in our Parliament fit for purpose.”

A photograph of the incident circulated on social media shows people watching in shock as water gushed through broken glass into a busy public area.

A House of Commons spokesman said there was a problem with the atrium roof at Portcullis House.

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“Security measures are being taken as a precautionary measure and allow us to continue our investigations. Further updates will be provided in due course.»

This comes just a few weeks after The Dispatch Box, a neighborhood coffee shop, was closed for two days due to a «minor leak» in the building that caused a musty smell to be found in the area.

Ward communities reported. at a time when «preventive maintenance» was being carried out, but emphasized that catering facilities, committee rooms and public areas were not affected.

‌Mervyn Thomas, Bishop Guildford's researcher, was at the Portcullis home at the time of the incident and said, «I was just sitting here and all of a sudden I heard this big explosion and then a flood of water.»

«It was like that.» big bang.»

He added, «A huge flood, it was a big bang, I didn't know what it was, and then it continued until it slowly became a trickle.»

He said he didn't think anyone was hurt, but he saw people 'crumble'.

‌“I don't know if anyone was soaked through or not. I have to assume they were because — in fact, I was going to sit there, but luckily decided not to,” he said.

Mr Thomas said the parliamentary authorities cleared the area of ​​people «within minutes.»

‌»There were people for a few minutes removing chairs, but the real barriers were, I think, for five minutes,» he said.< /p>

Signs were installed on three wet floors, as well as sandbags and five litter boxes.

A spokesman for the prime minister said: “I didn't see the details of what exactly happened there. Obviously, this should be decided first of all by the parliamentary authorities.”