Recording in parliament is illegal – so this is how the video team captures key moments for our democracy

When Lloyd Russell-Moyle grabbed the mace this week, we knew we needed to show Independent readers exactly what happened. So I went on a search across the internet

The past few days in parliament have provided moments that make it impossible to look away.

Just before 9pm on Monday, as MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle laid hands on the Commons’ ceremonial mace, nobody beyond the walls of Westminster was able to see what had actually happened. The free online service Parliament TV instead had its cameras positioned towards speaker John Bercow, and the flailing hands of members sat near to him. It was only thanks to someone at the BBC releasing a short clip from a different angle that we could all join in on viewing such a bizarre political moment.

And there’ve been so many moments, over the past few days especially, where eyes on The Independent’s video desk have been glued to these cameras, peering down on the despatch box. From statement, to debate, to the jeers and everything in between, it has been impossible to look away. As we endeavour to use video to provide that extra layer of context to stories, right now it’s more important than ever to watch what’s happening inside the halls of our government.

It can be helpful reading back over powerful quotes, and there’s no doubt that analysis will help clarify some of the terms and archaic language members continue to spew. But words can only do so much to narrate. Sometimes you need to really see the passion that flows from a speech – like David Lammy’s emotive reaction to the Windrush scandal back in April – or a reaction from the house to the prime minister’s dodging of a question.

That’s why we provide videos at the top of our news and opinion articles, to make sure our audience can see them in full and make an objective judgement. It’s why we stream as many debates and statements as possible across our social media platforms as we can (providing they’re relevant, of course). In short, it’s why our department exists.

And so, as I was in charge of the video desk when Lloyd Russell-Moyle pulled off his protest, it was with a sigh of relief that I found the perfect clip. The story provided the main splash on our website.

As it’s illegal to film in parliament aside from the set cameras, I had thought we’d never get to see what happened for ourselves. But we live in an age where everything is recorded somewhere – and luckily, someone had access to an angle from the official cameras few knew existed. A flurried search across the internet later, we were able to bring the story fully to live for Independent readers. When you pull something off like that – however small the triumph for open journalism is – you can’t help but feel pleased

Yours,

Matt Murphy

Assistant video editor