Brown 'vandalises despatch box'

Debate can get very heated during Prime Ministers' Questions

Gordon Brown has been accused of "vandalising" the Commons despatch box by "striking" it with a black felt tip pen during prime ministers' questions.

Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan told MPs he could see the damage from where he was standing, opposite the box.

He did not name Mr Brown but said "detectives have already noticed that the gravest occurrence seems to be on a Wednesday each week at around mid-day".

Commons leader Harriet Harman replied it was "not a matter for the House".

The exchange took place at business questions, where MPs ask Ms Harman to timetable debates, but which have also become noted for the less serious banter between the Commons leader and her Tory opposite number.

But Ms Harman did not appear amused by Mr Duncan's suggestion that the prime minister defaced the historic Commons despatch box.

The prime minister is well known for scribbling notes while his opponents are speaking.

He did not appear to have his famous black marker pen with him on Wednesday, at his weekly prime ministers' questions clash with Conservative leader David Cameron but he has faced accusations of defacing the despatch box before.

In August 2008, the Daily Telegraph reported that French polishers repairing damage to the despatch boxes complained about being unable to remove black felt pen marks, only to discover that they had been made by Mr Brown.

The ornately carved hardwood boxes, which were a gift from New Zealand when the Commons was rebuilt after the Second World War, sit on the table which divide the two sides of the Commons chamber.

Ministers and their opposition opposite numbers use them as lecterns to rest their speeches and documents on while standing up and taking part in debates.