London (CNN) Following high-profile attacks on democratic institutions, including the January 6 riot at the US Capitol, UK Parliament Speaker Lindsay Hoyle feels an urgent responsibility to champion political freedoms. "What happened at Capitol Hill, we are going to make sure it doesn't happen here," Hoyle told CNN in an exclusive sit-down TV interview. Hoyle, who as speaker is the highest authority in the British House of Commons, is hosting US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other counterparts at the G7 Speakers' summit this weekend. Addressing the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, Hoyle said: "That was mob rule taking over, trying to smash democracy. On March 22, 2017, Hoyle -- then Deputy Speaker -- suspended a sitting of the House of Commons as a terror attack unfolded in Westminster.

Source: CNN September 17, 2021 07:56 UTC