New Serjeant-at-Arms participates in Speaker’s Procession
10 February 2016 (updated on 10 February 2016)
On Wednesday 10 February, the new Serjeant-at-Arms, Kamal El-Hajji, participated in his first Speaker’s Procession. The Procession takes place before each sitting of the House of Commons.
Beginning in the Speaker’s office, the procession sees the Speaker escorted into the Chamber to begin the day’s business. The Serjeant-at-Arms is responsible for carrying the ceremonial mace into the Chamber, allowing the House to lawfully sit and debate.
Kamal El-Hajji took up post as Serjeant-at-Arms on Monday 1 February 2016. He was appointed to the role in December 2015, following a fair and open recruitment competition. In addition to his ceremonial duties, Kamal will work closely with the Parliamentary Security Department to manage access in the House of Commons, and to maintain order and security in the Chamber and its Committees.