The Great Hall

 Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7LS

"The chair must remind members that clause 5 of rule 17 prohibits the wearing of hats in the chamber when the House is in session," Mr Harper said, loudly banging his gavel.

Mr Rush ignored him, delivering his speech over Mr Harper's repeated interruptions warning him that "the member is no longer recognised".

Mr Harper asked the Sergeant at Arms to enforce the House prohibition on hats in the chamber.

"Members need to remove their hoods or leave the floor," Mr Harper said as Mr Rush finished his speech and was escorted from the floor.

Mr Rush - who holds the distinction of being the only person to ever defeat Mr Obama in an election when he defeated him in a congressional primary in 2000 - later said he understood the speaker had to fulfill his duties.

"Some of us in the House know the importance of civil disobedience and sometimes it makes a difference," he said on FOX News.

"Sometimes decorum has to take a back seat."

He added: "I think the spotlight was on me and the speaker had to respond and I understand the speaker had to respond."