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THE BBC HAS apologised after incorrectly saying a Conservative MP fell asleep during a debate in the House of Commons.
A photo of Alec Shelbrooke, a Tory MP for Elmet and Rothwell constituency in West Yorkshire, allegedly napping in parliament was widely shared on social media this morning.
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However, the BBC has since apologised and noted Shelbrooke is partially deaf and closed his eyes while listening to a speaker.
The Tory MP told Guido Fawkes: “I am genuinely slightly deaf and struggle to hear. I had taken part in the debate and was trying to hear the wind ups. Seems a shame I get trolled due to being slightly deaf.”
An earlier version of this story was published before the BBC apology. The article has now been updated.
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I don’t think he is asleep, I have seen a lot to that but they are listening from the speakers mounted in the back of the seat. Sometimes they find it hard to hear the speaker of the house, the only way to hear the speaker is by putting their ear near the speaker.
“Seems a shame I get trolled due to being slightly deaf.” No, you got trolled because you actually look like you’re sleeping. lol But yes, bbc shouldn’t have jumped to that conclusion especially if those are speakers built into the seats and knowing he was partially deaf.
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