As more than a 1,000 demonstrators arrived at the Session House grounds, police took no chances and guarded the locked doors of Parliament.

The orders were said to come from the sergeant-at-arms, as Progressive Labour Party MP Walter Roban confronted officers.

“You can’t lock the doors to Parliament — you are breaking the law,” Mr Roban repeatedly told police. Legislators as well as media were unable to use the public entrances to the building.

The Royal Gazette was able to access parliament with Mr Roban and Opposition MP Jamahl Simmons shortly before the day’s business commenced.

There was a substantial police presence through the building, with an officer inside the chamber for much of the morning, as the public galleries filled.

Randy Horton, the Speaker of the House, had made it clear in February that he would not tolerate outbursts from onlookers when chanting protesters briefly interrupted legislators on February 12.

Yesterday, as some in the gallery registered their disapproval during the question and answer session after the Premier’s statement on the work stoppage, Mr Horton interjected: “I’m noticing some reaction by members in the gallery.

“Let me just say that if you sit in the gallery it is a privilege, and there should be no reaction to anything said.

“Otherwise you will be asked to leave.”

The Speaker made good on his warning shortly thereafter, ordering that a woman be escorted from the gallery, and later reminded the sergeant-at-arms to be vigilant.

Most of those in the public gallery quit the chamber, however, once the budget debate got under way.