Theresa May did something which is unusual for a Prime Minister (and an MP) to do.
She sat in the House of Lords as peers began debating the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal Bill).
May was sitting on the steps in front of the Royal Throne when junior minister Baroness Williams of Trafford told the Lords to respect the decision of the British people in last year’s referendum and the “primacy” of the elected House of Commons.
And somehow, the internet thought she was giving everyone the glares:
#TheresaMay in the #HoL is like Vincenzo Pentangeli intimidating his younger brother in the godfather court scene. #creepybitch #brexit pic.twitter.com/WopJtZiMua
— KINGofJOCKISTAN (@KINGofJOCKISTAN) February 20, 2017
Prime Minister eyeballing the Leader of the Opposition. pic.twitter.com/jMq643Xvup
— Stephen Bush (@stephenkb) February 20, 2017
Theresa May sits menacingly in the House Of Commons #brexit debate, ensuring things go her way by giving them all a Paddington Hard Stare. pic.twitter.com/M3wlx24UAH
— Colin Simpleton (@colinthecorpse) February 20, 2017
Theresa May… pic.twitter.com/hXgW8zjnKZ
— Col (@colken16) February 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/frlydensmith/status/833720330539642880Although technically MPs are not allowed into the second chamber, May is permitted to occupy the spot as a member of the Privy Council.
The prime minister exercising her right to sit on the steps of the throne in the House of Lords, ensuring peers stay in line on Article 50. pic.twitter.com/UQZJd1jjcX
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) February 20, 2017
The legislation, which will pave the way for the PM to trigger Article 50 of the EU treaties to formally begin Brexit, was passed unamended and by large majority of 372 MPs.May’s presence in the Lords chamber ahead of two days of debate during the Bill’s first stage in the upper chamber is likely to be interpreted as a visual warning to peers seeking to amend the legislation.