Jordanian MPs gather outside parliament building in Amman following dissolution Amman – Osama Al Rantissi A controversial leaked video showing members of Jordan's 16th House of Representatives meeting to discuss the decision to dissolve parliament has gone viral, already seen by some 47,000 viewers .
Former MP Mamdouh al-Abbadi has admitted that the video is authentic but denied that it showed, as the uploader claimed, proceedings on the night the House of Representatives was dissolved. Al-Abbadi said the video showed a meeting held during the 15th House of Representatives at the home of its former speaker, Abdul Karim al-Doghmi.
Al-Abbadi told Arabstoday: "The video which has been making the rounds under the title 'The biggest scandal for Jordan's MPs the night parliament was dissolved in 2012,' was filmed by the BBC which was making a report on the Jordanian Parliament. The session was filmed as part of the report."
He denied knowledge of the individual who leaked the film.
The video also shows Abdul Karim al-Doghmi, Saad Hael al-Surour, Atef al-Tarwana and others drinking alcohol and using foul language to describe former Minister of Interior Naif al-Qadi.
Al-Abbadi said the timing of the leak was suspicious, suggesting it had been released to damage the electoral hopes of 17th House of Representatives candidatesseen in the video.
The former MP denied he would launch a legal battle against whoever is responsible for leaking the video because of his belief in "absolute freedom."