Big Ben has been silenced for essential maintenance work to be carried out, sparking an outcry from some MPs Times photographer Richard PohleMPs against the silencing of Big Ben gathered at the foot of Elizabeth Tower this morning to hear the great bell chime for the final time before being halted for renovations. Last week parliament said that it would review plans to silence the bell for four years after the prime minister joined an outcry by some MPs against the move. One of those calling for a rethink to stop Big Ben being silenced was Stephen Pound, the Labour MP, who joined about 20 “like-minded traditionalists” at the foot of the tower at noon to witness the halting of the bongs. Mr Pound, MP for Ealing North, speaking before midday, said: “There’s going to be a small group of us standing there with bowed heads in…

Source: The Times August 21, 2017 11:03 UTC