A SCHOOLGIRL was praised by House of Commons speaker John Bercow after leading a debate in Parliament.

Chloe Stevens, 15, stood at the despatch box, where the Prime Minister usually stands to speak, as part of a national Youth Parliament event.

Chloe, a pupil at Alec Hunter School, in Braintree, said: “It was a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime experience. To stand at the despatch box was amazing.

“John Bercow and all the House of Commons doorkeepers made us feel so welcome and special.”

Chloe spoke in favour of compulsory work experience placements for teenagers. The debate, one of five which involved 457 members of the UK Youth Parliament, was chaired by Mr Bercow.

After her three-minute speech Mr Bercow said: “Chloe, thank you very much, that was a dramatic start to our debate and hugely enjoyable.”