Morsi legal team walks out in protest over courtroom cage

Defence lawyers for ousted Egyptian leader Mohammed Morsi and other defendants have walked out of court to protest the soundproof glass cage in which defendants are placed, Egypt's state TV says.

It said judge Shaaban el-Shamy ordered a recess after the lawyers left today’s hearing, the first in a case in which Mr Morsi and 35 others are facing charges of conspiring with foreign groups and undermining national security.

The cage was introduced after Mr Morsi and his co-defendants interrupted the proceedings of other court cases by talking over the judge and chanting slogans.

It is fitted to give the judge sole control over whether the defendants can be heard or not when speaking.

Mr Morsi was ousted by the military following million-strong protests after just one year in power.