Smart glasses row prompts Lib Dem call for ban at Westminster

The Liberal Democrats wrote to House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle on 14 October 2026, urging him to ban smart glasses on the parliamentary estate at Westminster. The request follows a controversy in the Welsh Senedd, where Reform UK member Jason O'Connell was suspected of reading a speech from his lenses.

O'Connell, who represents Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, spoke for about five minutes without looking at his notes while leading his party's push to scrap 20mph traffic zones, reciting a string of precise figures. Intermittent flashes in his spectacles led observers to suspect he was wearing smart glasses that turned the lenses into miniature teleprompters. There has been no suggestion that the glasses were recording.

O'Connell has not directly addressed the claims. On Sunday 11 October he posted a photo on X of himself in oversized pink novelty glasses for a breast cancer charity, joking that his previous pair had caused a stir.

Privacy and security worries

Anna Sabine, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for culture, media and sport, argued that the devices could make debates increasingly "managed" and questioned how much of an MP's contribution might come from AI fed through the lenses. She said she had not yet spotted anyone wearing them in parliament, but added: "I wouldn't necessarily know."

In her letter, Sabine warned that the glasses can discreetly capture photos and video, undermining existing limits on recording within parliament. Because they resemble ordinary eyewear and their indicator lights can increasingly be covered or switched off, filming could slip past security staff and expose constituents' confidential information. She also cautioned that Christmas sales could push usage higher in 2027.

In Wales, Senedd members said the issue needed urgent attention and called for explicit guidance on how the devices may be used.

Parliament reviewing its rules

A UK parliament spokesperson said its policy on camera-equipped smart glasses and other wearables is under review. The senior deputy speaker of the House of Lords told peers in September 2026 that the review is examining the implications of these technologies and whether further guidance is needed, drawing on experts in filming policy, security, data protection and accessibility. Any new approach is meant to balance security and privacy with the needs of people who rely on such devices, as products popularised by Meta move further into everyday use.