Local MP 'held hostage' by King during ceremony
BBCAn MP has spoken of his experience of being "held hostage" by the King during the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday.
Sir Nic Dakin spent time at Buckingham Palace as part of a tradition that dates back to the 17th Century.
The Labour MP for Scunthorpe said he was "pleasantly looked after" during his detention.
"No manacles, no torturing. I was just abandoned by my colleagues and left in the arms of the palace staff and the Lord Chamberlain, who sits in the House of Lords, to ensure I didn't go anywhere," he said.
The tradition began in the reign of King Charles I, who had a hostile relationship with Parliament which eventually led to the English Civil War and his execution.
The current King Charles made reference to it in his speech to the US Congress last month.
"These days we look after our guests rather well, to the point that they often do not want to leave," the King said to laughter from US politicians.
Sir Nic told BBC Radio Humberside he watched the parliamentary address on television with "a cup of tea and small shortbread biscuits".
He said the refreshments on offer had been "modernised".
"A few years back, the drink that followed was rather stronger and one of my predecessors was rather wobbly on their legs as they left," he said.
He added: "One of the things we do really well is recognise tradition and all of the pageantry that goes alongside that and that was hugely on display yesterday."
Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be coveringhere.
Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices
