Taking pictures within the walls of Parliament is against the law, Speaker of the House Randy Horton said yesterday, after telling legislators he had spotted a photo online that had been taken from the gallery.

Mr Horton was referring to a shot circulating on Facebook since Saturday, showing One Bermuda Alliance Members of Parliament Nandi Outerbridge and Bob Richards sitting in the Government aisle.

Calling the image “very disturbing”, the Speaker added: “As a matter of clarity, it is taken from the gallery. This is absolutely, totally unacceptable.”

He said he had asked the sergeant-at-arms to be “absolutely vigilant in ensuring that electronic gadgets are not used in the House by those in the gallery.”

The blurred image drew online comment, including suggestions that Mr Richards appeared to have fallen asleep, but the definition of the shot was too poor to corroborate.

“During our meeting of the outstanding orders committee this coming Friday, this matter will be discussed,” Mr Horton said.