LIBERAL Democrat minister Lynne Featherstone was seen being consoled by deputy PM Nick Clegg following the vote to increase tuition fees, parliamentary sources have said.
Hackney MP Diane Abbot who spoke earlier in the House of Commons said the Hornsey and Wood Green MP was "distraught" and had to be comforted by her party leader who had urged his colleagues to support Vince Cable's proposals.
Two motions which mean tuition fees will be increased to £9,000 from 2012 were passed with a narrow majority of just 21 votes after many Lib Dems and some Conservatives voted against it or abstained.
Ms Abbott tweeted: "Just voted against tuition fees. Saw Nick Clegg patting a distraught Lynne Featherstone on the back as they both voted for the huge rise."
Ms Featherstone was one of a majority of Lib Dem MPs who signed a pre-election pledge with students to vote against any rise in tuition fees.
In a statement earlier this month, she hinted she may not vote in favour of the motion even though as a Home Office minister she has a duty to do so.
The usually prolific social networker has been silent on her Twitter feed and blog for the past few days.
More to follow
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