Big Ben: Fundraising plan for Brexit bongs questioned

Restoration works on Elizabeth Tower, housing Big Ben, are due to finish in 2021

Commons authorities have cast doubt on the idea that public donations could pay for the cost of making Big Ben chime when the UK leaves the EU.

Big Ben has been largely silent since refurbishment of its tower began.

But Boris Johnson has suggested crowdfunding could cover the costs of getting the bell working on 31 January.

The House of Commons Commission has said the estimated cost of up to £500,000 cannot be justified and using donations would be "unprecedented".

An amendment to the PM's Brexit bill, which would have required it to chime on Brexit day at 23:00 GMT, failed last week.

But on Tuesday, Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast: "We're working up a plan so people can bung a bob for a Big Ben bong, because there are some people who want to."

The commission said ongoing work to the Palace of Westminster's Elizabeth Tower meant getting the chimes working again now would cost between £350,000 and £500,000.

The body - a group of MPs and officials responsible for the day-to-day running of Parliament - later issued a second statement raising concerns about any type of crowdfunding.

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Any fundraising would have to be "consistent with principles of propriety and proper oversight of public expenditure", it said.

It added that the Commons had a "well-established" process by which it approved spending which allowed it to "preserve its constitutional position in relation to government".

When the restoration work started in 2017, it was agreed that Big Ben should sound for Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day and New Year's Eve.

According to the commission, this arrangement was made so the project team could plan its works around the dates well in advance.

Would Brexit bongs cost £500,000?

The House of Commons Commission's estimate for the cost of sounding Big Ben on Brexit day is made up of two separate parts:

• Bringing back the bonging mechanism and installing a temporary floor - £120,000

• The cost of delaying the conservation work - up to £400,000 (based on an estimate of £100,000 a week)

The commission says the floor in the belfry has been removed and there would be a significant cost to put in and then remove a temporary floor.

As well as the floor, the £120,000 figure also includes the cost of installing and dismantling the temporary mechanism (an electric bell hammer) to sound the bell.

Read more here.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: "The Commission believes it is important to weigh up the costs this would involve if Big Ben is to chime on 31 January.

"You are talking about £50,000 a bong. We also have to bear in mind that the only people who will hear it will be those who live near or are visiting Westminster."

However, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage questioned the £500,000 figure, and accused the commission of "obstruction".

In an article for the Telegraph, he wrote: "It tolled on New Year's Eve, on Remembrance Sunday and on Armistice Day.

"Did this cost £500,000 on each occasion? I would love to know the answer."

Brexiteer Mark Francois, one of the Tory MPs behind the failed amendment, has said it would be "inconceivable" if Big Ben did not sound to mark the occasion.

But Labour MP David Lammy said £500,000 was a "huge amount of money to waste on jingoism".

The PM's official spokesman said there was not a "specific government fund" to meet the costs of getting Big Ben to chime on Brexit day.

But he added: "If the public wants Big Ben to bong and the money is raised, then that is great.

"We will make sure that - whatever happens in regard to Big Ben's bongs - January 31 is properly marked."