THE former MP for Kemptown has blasted his successor’s decision to grab the Parliamentary mace and demanded an apology.

MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle was thrown out the House of Commons last night after picking up the ceremonial mace in protest at the Government’s handling of Brexit.

Conservative Sir Andrew Bowden, who represented the area for 27 years, has labelled Mr Moyle's actions as a “cheap political stunt”.

He said: “I’m horrified - Mr Russell Moyle has a lot to learn.

“His actions were childish and irresponsible.

“I have no doubt that the majority of his constituents, whatever their politics, will regard his action of attempting to take the mace from the debating chamber of the House of Commons as nothing short of a cheap political stunt.”

Mr Moyle walked over the white line known as the bar of the House, where he was stopped by Commons officials.

The Argus:

The Labour MP put up no resistance as he was stopped and handed over the mace.

But he remained in the chamber looking at the Speaker and said nothing as MPs gasped.

The parliamentary mace symbolises royal authority so without it the House cannot meet or pass laws.

Sir Andrew added: “ I hope Mr Russell Moyle will immediately apologise to the speaker of the house of commons and to all his Brighton Kemptown constituents.”

The mace is silver gilt and just over five foot long and every day it is carried into the Chamber by the Serjeant at Arms, where it is normally placed on the table of the House.

Tory MPs screamed “expel him” and “name him” as Speaker John Bercow rose to his feet and demanded he leave the chamber.

Mr Moyle said: “I am sorry he is more upset by a piece of gold being moved than the undermining of our democracy.

“But I think most people will see in this in perspective.

“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision and was a symbolic protest at these urgent times.

“Sometimes one does things in the heat of the moment that need to be done.

“I don’t expect him to agree with me - that’s democracy -- but to suggest it’s an outrage when there’s children starving and homeless on the streets, that’s the real outrage.”

The last time the mace was taken from its place was in 2009 by now Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell.

In 1976, former deputy Prime Minister, Conservative Michael Heseltine, was also reprimanded for picking up the ceremonial mace.