Penny Mordaunt becomes first minister to use sign language in the Commons

International development secretary used it to announce global disability conference

International development secretary Penny Mordaunt became the first minister to use British sign language in Parliament.

Ms Mordaunt was applauded by the House after using it during a speech to announce a global disability conference taking place in London later this month.

Organised by the UK Government, the Kenya government and the International Disability Alliance, the event aims to support people in the poorest countries who are living with disabilities.

"For too long in the world's poorest countries, disabled people have not been able to reach their full potential because of stigma or not enough practical support," Ms Mourdant said and signed. "I am proud to be focused on this area which has been neglected for too long," she said.

As she sat down, Speaker of the House John Bercow responded in both speech and sign language: “That is good news.”