Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)
| United Kingdom Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Incumbent Kamal El-Hajji since 2015 | |
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | |
| Reports to | Clerk of the Parliaments |
| Appointer |
The Crown (de jure) Clerk of the Parliaments (de facto) |
| Formation | 1415 |
| First holder | Nicholas Maundit |
| Deputy | Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod |
| Website | Serjeant at Arms |
The Serjeant at Arms of the British House of Commons is an official responsible for the security of the House of Commons. The office dates to 1415.
The House of Lords also had a Serjeant-at-Arms (the title was often distinguished by the use of hyphens), dating also from the 15th Century. His duties were merged in 1971 with those of Black Rod.[1]
Traditionally the post of Serjeant at Arms was filled by a retired military officer, but in 2008 a civil servant, Jill Pay, was selected as the first woman to hold the appointment. At the same time the job was split, with many of the duties transferred to the new post of chief executive.[2]
In 2012 a specialist security expert, Lawrence Ward, was appointed to the role.[3] The current (2015) holder of the post is Mohammed Amal (Kamal) El-Hajji, previously front of house security manager at the Ministry of Justice headquarters.[4]
Duties
The duties of the Serjeant at Arms are partly ceremonial. The Serjeant at Arms carries the mace during the opening of Parliament and is also responsible for security during debates in the House of Commons, escorting Members out of the Chamber if ordered to do so by the Speaker.
Dress
The Serjeant at Arms wears traditional dress and carries a sword,[5] and is traditionally the only person allowed inside the House armed.
List of Serjeants at Arms
- 1415–: Nicholas Maundit
- 1610–: Edward Grimston
- Edward Dendy snr
- c.1645: Edward Dendy jnr
- 1660–1675: James Norfolk [6]
- 1675–1693: William Bishop [6]
- 1693–1709: Samuel Powell [6]
- 1709–1717: Thomas Wybergh [6]
- 1717–1737: Thomas Spence [7]
- 1737–1762: Wentworth Odiarne [6]
- 1762–1775: Nicholas Bonfoy [8]
- 1775–1805: Edward Colman [9]
- 1805–1811: Francis John Colman [6]
- 1812–1812: John Clementson [6]
- 1812–1835: Henry Seymour [6]
- 1835–1848: Sir William Gosset [10]
- 1848–1875: Lord Charles James Fox Russell [11]
- ?1875–1885: Sir Ralph Allen Gosset KCB[12]
- 1885–1915: Sir Henry David Erskine KCVO
- 1915–1935: Sir Colin Richard Keppel KCVO GCVO
- 1935-1949: George Field CBE MVO
- ?–1957: Sir Charles Howard
- 1957–?1961: Major General Ivor Thomas Percival Hughes KCVO
- 1961–1976: Alexander Henry Charles Gordon-Lennox KCVO [13]
- 1976–1982: Sir Peter Francis Thorne KCVO
- 1982–1989: Sir Victor Le Fanu KCVO
- 1989–1995: Sir Alan Urwick KCVO, CMG
- 1995–1999: Sir Peter Jennings CVO
- 2000–2005: Sir Michael Cummins
- 2005–2007: Major General Peter Grant Peterkin CB, OBE
- 2008–2012: Jill Pay
- 2012–2015: Lawrence Ward
- 2015–present: Kamal El-Hajji[14]
See also
References
- ↑ House of Lords; Serjeant-at-Arms at www.parliament.uk
- ↑ Groves, Jason (13 October 2011). "First female Serjeant at Arms quits Commons just days after powerful clerk becomes her boss". Daily Mail. London.
- ↑ www.parliament.uk - 16 April 2012 - Serjeant at Arms appointed
- ↑ www.parliament.uk - 22 December 2015 - Serjeant at Arms appointed
- ↑ Serjeant at Arms
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Serjeants at Arms to the Speaker" (PDF). Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- ↑ History of Parliament
- ↑ History of Parliament
- ↑ History of Parliament
- ↑ History of Parliament
- ↑ Thepeerage
- ↑ "Captain Gosset has resigned". The Spectator. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
- ↑ Thepeerage
- ↑ New Serjeant at Arms appointed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35158838 BBC News