'Barmy' rule gags MPs over Gospels.

Byline: By Zoe Hughes Political Editor

Bureaucrats in the House of Commons have ruled MPs cannot challenge ministers over the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to the North-East because it is not the direct responsibility of Parliament.

Stockton South MP Dari Taylor has been told by officials she cannot table questions to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell about the refusal of the British Library to return, or even lend, the ancient manuscripts to the region because the library was answerable to a board of governors ( not to the taxpayers who fund it.

The revelation has caused outrage among campaigners in the North, who last night branded the saga "crackers". Ms Taylor said she was stunned by the "ridiculous" rule. In the past few months, she has had six parliamentary questions on the subject refused under the British Library Act 1972.

Ms Taylor must now write to Ms Jowell to set up a "policy question" on the issue, after which MPs may be able to start tabling questions. Ms Taylor described the situation as "ludicrous, absolutely crackers and barmy". She said: "To say we can't question the decisions of the British Library, even though we as a country make a massive financial investment in it, is crazy.

"The British Library is being seen as some sort of icon in a world unto themselves where they are completely untouchable. It's time we reconnected the British Library to the fact they are funded by taxpayers and therefore ordinary people do have a say." MPs were allowed this year to table a Commons early day motion ( a device used by backbenchers to raise local issues ( on the return of the Gospels and it has been signed by 42 MPs of all parties.

The British Library says the 8th-Century book will never return home permanently and may not even come back on loan until 2014 because of "an unreasonable level of risk".

John Danby, of the Northumbrian Association, said it was time for the whole region to get behind the campaign. "I am certain we will get them back ( it might just take a bit longer than first thought. -- Everyone has to get together on this one."

Houghton and Washington West MP Fraser Kemp said: "Keeping them locked away in a darkened room is not right. They should be back home."