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The first female Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd, has died aged 93.

Current Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle, said: “Not only was Betty Boothroyd an inspiring woman, but she was also an inspirational politician, and someone I was proud to call my friend.

“To be the first woman Speaker was truly ground-breaking and Betty certainly broke that glass ceiling with panache.”

“Betty was one of a kind. A sharp, witty and formidable woman – and I will miss her,” he added.

Born into a working-class family in Dewsbury in 1929, Baroness Boothroyd was introduced to politics at an early age through her mother’s membership of the women’s section of the Labour Party.

Often taken to rallies where Labour giants including Clement Attlee and Nye Bevan would address large crowds, Baroness Boothroyd would later follow in their footsteps.

But not before the talented dancer’s dreams of taking the West End by storm with dance group the Tiller Girls were cruelly put to an end by just the age of 25 due to a foot infection.

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The political stage would soon follow, the journey beginning with a move to London in the early 1950s after getting a job as secretary to two Labour MPs – Barbara Castle and Geoffrey de Freitas.

Baroness Boothroyd twice unsuccessfully stood to become an MP during this decade – finishing fewer than 7,000 votes behind the Conservative candidate in her first attempt in the Leicester South East by-election in 1957.

Following the two knock-backs, Baroness Boothroyd travelled to the United States in 1960 where she worked on John F Kennedy’s campaign after he was elected as the Democratic candidate for president.

Baroness Boothroyd travelled across America with Democratic senator Estes Kefauver before moving on to work for left-wing Republican congressman Silvio Conte.

After two years across the pond, she returned to the UK where she worked as a political assistant to Labour minister Lord Harry Walston.

In 1973, Baroness Boothroyd became an MP herself at the fifth attempt, successfully securing the seat of West Bromwich for the Labour Party.

Miss Betty Boothroyd, Labour, electioneering in the Nelson & Colne by-election.
Date: 1968-06-12
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Baroness Boothroyd attempted to become an MP four times before being successful in 1973

She is believed to have said this would have been her final attempt at entering Parliament – but won the contest with a majority of more than 8,000 votes.

She became one of 27 female MPs in the House of Commons at the time.

Baroness Boothroyd went on to become an assistant government whip for the Labour Party and kept a keen eye on ensuring MPs were in the Commons to vote on key pieces of legislation.

In 1975, she was elected a member of the European Parliament and became a vocal advocate of the common market.

Baroness Boothroyd’s political influence continued to grow after she was appointed to both the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Speaker’s Panel of Chairmen in 1979.

In 1987, the Labour MP was appointed deputy Speaker of the Commons – a position she would hold until 1992 when Bernard “Jack” Weatherill announced he was stepping down as Speaker.

By this time, Baroness Boothroyd had proven herself to hold great authority and conviction and was persuaded by some Labour colleagues to run to replace him.

Her appointment was contested by Conservative MP John Brooke, but Baroness Boothroyd won a vote by 372 votes to 238.

With the result, Baroness Boothroyd became the first female Speaker of the Commons and the first opposition MP to be elected to the role, having secured overwhelming support from both sides of the House.

Video grab of Betty Boothroyd, marking her retirement as Speaker of the House of Commons with a valedictory speech to MPs. Miss Boothroyd, 70, announced earlier in the month that she would be relinquishing her post, which she has held for nearly eight years.  * ...before the House returns from its summer recess. Precedent requires Miss Boothroyd to make a valedictory statement to the House.
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Baroness Boothroyd became Speaker in 1992 and stayed in the role for eight years

“Elect me for what I am, and not for what I was born,” she said in her acceptance speech.

During her first time in the chair as Speaker, she was asked by then Burnley MP Peter Pike: “What do we call you?”

“Call me Madam,” she replied – to a packed Commons chamber.

Baroness Boothroyd modernised the role of Speaker, refusing to wear the traditional wig – a decision which was approved by MPs – and closing Prime Minister’s Questions every week with her catchphrase: “Time’s up!”

She stuck to the rules and had a no-nonsense style, quickly becoming a household name as rolling television coverage of the Commons began.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the Palace of Westminster November 25 to attend a dinner given by the Speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd (L). **POOR QUALITY DOCUMENT**
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Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh also attended a dinner hosted by Baroness Boothroyd while she was Speaker

Baroness Boothroyd once reminded MPs that her role was “to ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their points of view”.

But she only ever ejected one MP during her time in the role – then DUP leader Ian Paisley who had accused a minister of lying and was subsequently suspended for 10 days.

She also controversially banned women from breastfeeding during select committee hearings.

Baroness Boothroyd presided over fiery debates on the European Union but described Nelson Mandela’s state visit and parliament address in 1996 as “the most memorable moment of my time as Speaker”.

Mr Mandela had taken her hand before they entered Westminster Hall together for a ceremony.

South Africa's President Nelson Mandela gets a helping hand from the Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd July 11 as he arrives at the Palace of Westminster. Mandela was the guest of Parliament when he addressed both Houses of Parliament as part of his four-day State visit.
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South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela got a helping hand from Baroness Boothroyd when he visited Parliament in July 1996

Baroness Boothroyd’s term of office coincided with Conservative prime minister Sir John Major’s attempts to defend his slim majority and Labour’s landslide election win in 1997.

Her 1997 re-election was unopposed.

Baroness Boothroyd stood down from her position as Speaker in 2000 after eight years in the chair presiding over MPs with a firm manner and sense of humour.

During this time, she spoke twice in the Indian Lok Sabha, once in the Russian Duma and in most European parliaments.

She also welcomed numerous political figures to Parliament, including former French president Jacques Chirac.

French President Jacques Chirac kisses the hand of speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd, after Chirac addressed both houses of parliament at the Palace of Westminster May 15. President Chirac is on a four-day visit to Britain
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French President Jacques Chirac kissed Baroness Boothroyd’s hand after visiting Parliament in 1996

Ahead of delivering her farewell speech in the Commons, parliamentary staff lined up in a row to clap her out.

Her personal motto as Speaker was “I speak to serve” and she was insistent that it is the task of parliament to control the government of the day.

Baroness Boothroyd had been critical of moves towards a more presidential style, warning in her farewell speech on 26 July that prime ministers “can easily be toppled” and that parliament “is the chief forum of the nation – today, tomorrow and, I hope, for ever”.

Betty Boothroyd relaxing on a window seat in her sitting room at Speakers House in the House of Commons. Miss Boothroyd, 71, the most famous Speaker in the history of British Parliament, bows out after eight years of drama,  laughter and turmoil.  *... in what is probably the most volatile job at Westminster.
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Baroness Boothroyd’s motto was: ‘I speak to serve’

In 2001, she was created a life peer, taking as her title Baroness Boothroyd of Sandwell in the West Midlands.

She published her autobiography in the same year.

In 2005, she was given an Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II – given to those “who have provided especially eminent service in the armed forces or particularly distinguished themselves in science, art, literature, or the promotion of culture”.

Former Commons Speaker Baroness Betty Boothroyd, at Westminster, following an announcement that she is be bestowed with the Order of Merit by The Queen.
Date: 2005-04-28
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Baroness Boothroyd was bestowed with the Order of Merit by The Queen in 2005

Baroness Boothroyd was not afraid to speak her mind on political matters after her retirement.

In 2018, she dramatically increased pressure on then Speaker John Bercow to honour a pledge to quit later that year.

She said he should step down in mid-parliament as a “courtesy” to MPs and not wait until the next general election.

In April 2019, Baroness Boothroyd spoke during a rally held by The People’s Vote, calling for another Brexit referendum

Betty Boothroyd speaks during a rally held by The People's Vote, calling for another Brexit referendum, ahead of an EU summit, in London, Britain, April 9, 2019.
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Baroness Boothroyd was a supporter of the UK remaining in the European Union

While in an interview in 2021, she said PMQs had “deteriorated a great deal in the last few years”, adding: “It’s not the quality that it used to be.”

Speaking as the partygate scandal unfolded, she added: “The prime minister is there to answer questions about what the government is doing, why it is not doing it.

“I don’t say prime ministers have got the answer to every question. Of course, they haven’t. But at least they’ve got to have a stab at it and make an attempt and it is not [happening] these days.”

On her retirement as Speaker, then Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy stated: “As the first woman Speaker, her place in the history books is assured.”

The speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd, photographed in her residence at Westminster this afternoon, Wednesday 12th July 2000.
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Baroness Boothroyd remains the only female Speaker of the House of Commons in its over 700-year history

On Baroness Boothroyd’s 90th birthday, Tony Blair said he had been “somewhat in awe” of the former Speaker after she had told him off when, as a young MP, he had entered Parliament’s terrace wearing a sweatshirt and jeans.

While Sir John Major said the Dewsbury-born politician had entered “the Pantheon of National Treasures”.

Baroness Boothroyd died unmarried and with no children, having prioritised her work.

To this day, she remains the only female Speaker of the House of Commons in over 700 years.

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Tel Aviv football derby cancelled after ‘violent riots’, as club describes ‘brutal police violence’

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Tel Aviv football derby cancelled after 'violent riots', as club describes 'brutal police violence'

A football derby in Tel Aviv between Hapoel and Maccabi has been cancelled after “violent riots”, according to Israeli police.

Nine people were arrested on Sunday night at Bloomfield Stadium, a venue shared by both clubs. Hapoel were the home team for the game.

A statement from Israeli police said the game was called off “following disturbances and violent riots” in which 13 civilians and three officers were injured by pyrotechnic devices.

“These are very serious incidents that posed a real danger to the lives of police officers and civilians,” the statement added.

But Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club released a statement with a very different perspective on policing at the match.

“From the preliminary discussions prior to the match, it appears that the police were preparing for war rather than a sporting event,” a spokesperson said.

Outside the stadium, mounted police attempt to control crowds. Pic: Israeli police
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Outside the stadium, mounted police attempt to control crowds. Pic: Israeli police

Footage released by Israeli police shows a flare or firework landing near officers. Pic: Israeli police
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Footage released by Israeli police shows a flare or firework landing near officers. Pic: Israeli police

They added: “Most of the injuries from the event were caused by brutal police violence at the end of the game, as a direct result of the scandalous decision to cancel the event.

“Everyone saw the disturbing videos of children being trampled by horses and police officers indiscriminately beating fans.”

Israeli police have not yet responded to the allegations from Hapoel.

A Maccabi statement read: “Following the police’s decision, it was determined that the Tel Aviv derby will not take place tonight.”

Footage shared by the police shows projectiles and flares being thrown on to the pitch, as well as unrest outside the stadium and arrests being made.

What looked like smoke canisters were seized by officers. Pic: Israeli police
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What looked like smoke canisters were seized by officers. Pic: Israeli police

Maccabi ban criticised

On Thursday, Maccabi supporters were told they are not allowed to attend November’s Europa League game against Aston Villa in Birmingham next month after a decision by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG).

The group – made up of local stakeholders, including representatives from the council, police and event organisers – said the decision was due to a high risk of violence based on “current intelligence and previous incidents”.

Ed Miliband told Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that ministers are “working with the relevant authorities” to secure additional resources and ensure fans of both teams can attend next month’s European clash.

He insisted Aston in Birmingham cannot become a “no-go area” for Jews.

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Aston ‘can’t be no-go area for Jews’

The energy secretary also said that he “profoundly” disagrees with the “approach” taken by a local MP who started a petition calling for fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv to be banned from the Aston Villa game.

The petition states: “Their arrival in Aston – a diverse and predominantly Muslim community – poses a real risk of tensions within the community and disorder.”

Mr Miliband pushed back on that point. He said the “vast majority of Muslim people in this country would disassociate themselves” from suggestions that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans could not come to Aston Villa because it was a predominantly Muslim area.

His Tory counterpart, Claire Coutinho, was also highly critical of the petition, telling Phillips: “I think politicians need to have the courage to name some of the problems that this country is facing. And one of those problems is political Islam.”

Read more from Sky News:
Maccabi ban could be reversed
Why are Maccabi Tel Aviv fans banned?
Analysis: Ban raises serious questions

Petition reaction ‘false and inflammatory’

The independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, Ayoub Khan, criticised those comments.

“I utterly reject the false and inflammatory characterisations… regarding my recent petition,” he said in a statement.

“The petition I launched reflected genuine and widespread concern from my constituents about public safety and community cohesion. It did not call for anyone to be ‘banned because they are Jewish’ nor did it single out any faith or ethnicity.

“To distort this into an issue of religion or antisemitism is deeply irresponsible and frankly dangerous. I have consistently condemned all forms of hatred – including antisemitism and Islamophobia – and I will continue to do so.”

The government is expecting West Midlands Police to set out early next week what they would need to police the game safely with both sets of fans present.

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Cargo plane slides off runway in Hong Kong killing two people

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Cargo plane slides off runway in Hong Kong killing two people

A cargo plane has skidded off the runway into the sea while landing at Hong Kong International Airport, killing two people on the ground.

Images taken after the crash which happened around 3.50am (8.50pm UK time) showed a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft partially submerged in water near the airport’s sea wall.

The AirACT plane, travelling from Dubai, could be seen with escape slides deployed and the nose and tail sections separated. Four crew on board survived.

The nose and tail sections separated after the crash. Pic: Reuters
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The nose and tail sections separated after the crash. Pic: Reuters

Escape slides were deployed and all four crew survived. Pic: Reuters
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Escape slides were deployed and all four crew survived. Pic: Reuters

Rescue teams circle the partially submerged green tail of the aircraft. Pic: AP
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Rescue teams circle the partially submerged green tail of the aircraft. Pic: AP

Two security staff were killed when the aircraft struck their vehicle, shunting it into the sea, said Steven Yiu, executive director of airport operations at Airport Authority Hong Kong.

At a news conference, he told reporters about the rescue operation.

“Four aircraft crew on board were quickly rescued by Fire Service Department [which] also rescued two security staff from the sea.

“One was certified dead at the hospital and the other certified dead at the scene.

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“We are deeply saddened and extend our deepest condolence. We will provide the family with all necessary support and assistance.”

Steven Yiu from Airport Authority Hong Kong told reporters two security staff have been killed. Pic: AP
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Steven Yiu from Airport Authority Hong Kong told reporters two security staff have been killed. Pic: AP

Mr Yiu showed a map of the northern runway and the crash site. Pic: AP
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Mr Yiu showed a map of the northern runway and the crash site. Pic: AP

He explained that the security vehicle was patrolling the north runway along a road that was outside the runway fence when it was struck.

The northern runway at the world’s busiest cargo airport is closed while the south and central runways are continuing to operate.

“According to information we have at that moment, weather and the runway condition were safe and met all conditions for runway operation. An investigation is continuing.” Mr Yiu added.

Emirates said in a statement that flight EK9788 sustained damage on landing in Hong Kong on Monday and was a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft wet-leased from and operated by ACT Airlines.

“Crew are confirmed to be safe and there was no cargo onboard,” the airline said.

Read more from Sky News:
Eight ‘priceless’ objects stolen in Louvre heist
Gaza ceasefire ‘resumes’ after killings
Tel Aviv derby cancelled after ‘violent riots’

Man Ka-chai, chief accident and safety investigator for Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority, confirmed air
traffic control had directed the flight to land at the north runway, but added: “We didn’t receive any message requesting
help from the pilot.”

ACT Airlines is a Turkish carrier that provides extra cargo capacity to major airlines. It did not respond immediately to a request for comment outside normal business hours.

Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 said the aircraft involved in the accident was 32 years old and had served as a passenger plane before being converted into a freighter.

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department said in a statement that the aircraft had “deviated from the north runway after landing and ditched into the sea”.

Airport Authority Hong Kong said the northern runway would reopen after safety inspections were complete.

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‘Race against time’ as police try to recover ‘priceless’ jewels from Louvre – as authorities reveal details of daring raid

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'Race against time' as police try to recover 'priceless' jewels from Louvre - as authorities reveal details of daring raid

Police face “a race against time” to recover “priceless” objects stolen by thieves in a daring heist at the Louvre museum in Paris, Sky News has been told.

The world-famous museum was forced to close on Sunday after thieves accessed a gallery containing the French Crown Jewels at around 9.30am local time.

Art detective Arthur Brand said the heist is “the theft of the decade” – adding in order to recover the “priceless” items, police will need to find the culprits in just one week.

“These crown jewels are so famous, you just cannot sell them,” Mr Brand told Sky News. “The only thing they can do is melt the silver and gold down, dismantle the diamonds, try to cut them. That’s the way they will probably disappear forever.”

He continued: “They [the police] have a week. If they catch the thieves, the stuff might still be there. If it takes longer, the loot is probably gone and dismantled. It’s a race against time.”

Eight “priceless” objects stolen have been named by the French culture ministry. A ninth item was stolen but recovered at the scene, the Paris prosecutor said.

The French culture ministry said the items stolen were:

• Tiara from the set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense

• Necklace from the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense

• Earring, from the pair belonging to the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense

The tiara (top), necklace (middle) and one earring were taken from the Queen Marie Amelie sapphire set. Pic: Louvre
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The tiara (top), necklace (middle) and one earring were taken from the Queen Marie Amelie sapphire set. Pic: Louvre

• Emerald necklace from the Empress Marie Louise set

• Pair of emerald earrings from the Empress Marie Louise set

Empress Marie Louise's emerald necklace and earrings. Pic: Louvre
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Empress Marie Louise’s emerald necklace and earrings. Pic: Louvre


• Brooch known as the “reliquary brooch”

• Tiara of Empress Eugenie

• Large corsage bow brooch of Empress Eugenie.

The Empress Eugenie tiara. Pic: Louvre
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The Empress Eugenie tiara. Pic: Louvre

The Empress Eugenie brooch contains 2,438 diamonds. Pic: Louvre
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The Empress Eugenie brooch contains 2,438 diamonds. Pic: Louvre

French publication Le Parisien previously reported that the object recovered at the museum was the crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugenie, and it was broken.

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Louvre heist: What we know so far?

Authorities revealed details of the raid after the museum, which is the world’s most popular and draws up to 30,000 visitors a day, said on X that it was closing for “exceptional reasons”.

Police working by a basket lift used by thieves at the Louvre museum in Paris. Pic: AP
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Police working by a basket lift used by thieves at the Louvre museum in Paris. Pic: AP

The world famous museum attracts tens of thousands of people every day. File pic: AP
Image:
The world famous museum attracts tens of thousands of people every day. File pic: AP

Culture minister Rachida Dati said footage of the operation showed the thieves “don’t target people, they enter calmly in four minutes, smash display cases, take their loot, and leave”.

“No violence, very professional,” she told TF1.

How the robbery unfolded

French interior minister Laurent Nunez said the “major robbery” involved intruders entering the museum via a basket lift using a platform mounted on a lorry.

It is not clear if they brought any or all of the equipment they used with them, as construction work is taking place along the River Seine side of the sprawling building, where the break-in occurred.

Mr Nunez said: “They broke a window and went towards several display cases where they stole jewellery. These are jewels that have genuine heritage value and are, in fact, priceless.”

The ceiling of the Apollo Gallery in the Louvre. Pic: Shutterstock
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The ceiling of the Apollo Gallery in the Louvre. Pic: Shutterstock

The interior ministry said the criminals fled on two motorbikes. No injuries have been reported.

The number of robbers has not been confirmed but Mr Nunez told France Inter that three or four thieves got into the museum.

The gang was well prepared and had scouted the venue, Mr Nunez said, adding they cut window panes “with a disc cutter” before escaping “on a TMAX”, a type of Yamaha maxi-scooter.

Forensic work is now under way and a detailed list of the stolen items is being compiled following the break-in, which took place between 9.30 and 9.40am (8.30-8.40am UK time).

Once in, they made for the Galerie d’Apollon (Apollo Gallery), home to a selection of the French Crown Jewels, the interior ministry said.

French daily newspaper Le Parisien, citing police, said the suspects wore hoods and were carrying “small chainsaws”.

The robbers reportedly escaped with nine pieces of jewellery, including a necklace, a brooch and a tiara from the Napoleon and French Sovereigns display cases, the newspaper reported.

Two suspects were inside while a third stayed outside, Le Parisien said.

Suspects reportedly used this window to get in. Pic: Reuters
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Suspects reportedly used this window to get in. Pic: Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X: “We will recover the works and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“Everything is being done, everywhere, to achieve this,” he added.

What is in the Galerie d’Appollon?

The Galerie d’Appollon is an enormous room on the upper floor of the Petite Galerie, which houses the French Crown Jewels as well as the royal collection of hardstone vessels, paintings, tapestries and medallions, the museum’s website said.

Rebuilt by Louis XIV after a fire, it is home to three historical diamonds – the Regent, one of the most famous diamonds in the world, the Sancy and the Hortensia.

At 140 carats, the Regent is exceptional in terms of size, weight and purity and when it was found in India in 1698, it was the largest known diamond at the time.

Social media users posted pictures and videos from in and outside the building, with one showing people leaving in “total panic”.

The museum sits next to the River Seine. Pic: Reuters
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The museum sits next to the River Seine. Pic: Reuters

One person on X who said they were there reported a confused-sounding scene of police “running” near the museum’s famous pyramid “and trying to enter… from glass side doors but they were locked and they could not enter”.

“Everyone inside was running and banging on glass doors to get out, but could not open. Police and military police arrived,” they added.

History of Louvre break-ins

This is not the first time thieves have targeted the museum.

In 1911, the Mona Lisa, now protected by bulletproof glass, vanished from its frame, stolen by a former worker who hid inside the museum and walked out with the painting under his coat.

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It was recovered two years later in Florence – an episode that helped make Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait the world’s best-known artwork.

In 1983, two Renaissance-era pieces of armour were stolen – and were only recovered in 2021, nearly four decades later.

The museum’s collection also bears the legacy of Napoleonic-era looting, containing 33,000 works of art, including antiquities, sculptures and paintings.

In addition to the Mona Lisa, its star attractions feature the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

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