Parliament's Speaker, Lockwood Smith, today requested journalists and the public be excluded from his appearance before a select committee discussing MPs' pay and allowances.
When asked why he wanted to appear is private he refused to give a reason.
The public notice of select committee hearings had shown the Government Administration select committee hearing on the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Bill about how MPs are paid was to have been heard in public.
But the Speaker last night requested privacy. The committee, chaired by Labour MP Ruth Dyson, agreed to that request this morning.
However Ruth Dyson said the full transcript of his evidence would be released when reported to the House and Dr Smith was told that before he gave his evidence.
She said that was the practice with all evidence given in private. Secret evidence was not released but there was none on the bill under consideration.
Clerk of the House Mary Harris gave a submission to the committee last week in open session.