EAST Yorkshire MP Greg Knight will be held hostage at Buckingham Palace today – as part of a tradition dating back to the 17th century.

The Queen will address Peers and MPs in Parliament today to outline the Government’s proposals for the coming year, but Mr Knight will be absent.

Since the days of Charles I, whenever the monarch has visited the Palace of Westminster, a “hostage” has been handed over in return, to guarantee the monarch’s safety while visiting Parliament.

The custom began when relations between Parliament and the monarchy were icy and today the honour generally goes to a senior member of the Government Whips’ Office who, by convention, is the vice-chamberlain of the Royal Household.

The current post-holder is Mr Knight, so this morning, he will make his way to the palace to be symbolically locked up until the Queen returns.

He will be accompanied by the Deputy Chief Whip, John Randall, and the Comptroller of the Royal Household, Alastair Carmichael.

Mr Randall and Mr Carmichael will both return from the Palace with the Queen, escorting her to Parliament. Mr Knight will be left behind to spend most of the day in Buckingham Palace.