A Canadian MP offered one of the most original excuses ever heard for leaving parliament in a hurry - tight underpants.
Canadian MP Pat Martin Photo: Wiki Commons
His cut-price and, as it turned out, overly tight underpants made it difficult for him to sit through a one-by-one vote, opposition MP Pat Martin told the bewildered Speaker.
But he did made it back in time to cast his ballot.
A Twitter storm about not very well briefed MPs hit shortly afterwards.
Mr Martin drew applause and laughter from the chamber when he explained his temporary absence.
"They had men's underwear on for half price and I bought a bunch that was clearly too small for me. I find it difficult to sit for any length of time."
The speaker of the house said he initially ordered Mr Martin to sit back down when he wanted to leave.
"I did not understand his explanation at the time and I am not sure I understand it now", he said.
MP Pat Martin says tight underwear made him leave his seat during vote. Oh, Pat! Never get your knickers in a twist over politics. #cdnpoli
— Mark Critch (@markcritch) February 19, 2015
Couldn't Pat Martin have just said he was having a clothing problem? #TMI #CanPoli
— Jasmine Akbarali (@jakbarali) February 20, 2015
-BBC
