THIS is a Dutch MP's horrified reaction to a cannabis activist who tried to hang himself in parliament.

Parliamentary cameras captured MP Arno Rutte gasping in horror as Hans Kamperman fell "several metres" from the public gallery.

4 This is a Dutch MP's reaction to watching a cannabis activist trying to hang himself in parliament

Kamperman, 65, who survived the fall, recently left a Facebook post saying "sorry I had to do this".

Witness said Kamperman had been pacing about in an agitated state before tying something to a railing and then jumping off, according to De Telegraaf.

MPs and parliament employees were seen in tears after the incident, with many struggling to speak.

Socialist MP Michiel van Nispen could only say "it was horrible" and refused to speak more about the incident further.

4 Hans Kamperman, 65, had been camping outside parliament for several weeks to support the legalisation of cannabis Credit: CEN

The paper identified activist Kamperman, who had camped outside parliament for several weeks to support the legalisation of cannabis.

Cannabis is technically illegal in the Netherlands, though it's widely available and police do not prosecute people for possession or sale of small amounts.

Kamperman is said to be a pro-cannabis activist who had been camping in front of the Dutch Parliament for the last few weeks to protest against the "criminalisation of cannabis".

"I have to do this to shake up politics," he is reported to have written on Facebook before the apparent suicide attempt.

4 Shocked MPs rushed to help Kamperman who survived the fall Credit: CEN

4 The fall prompted loud gasps from politicians in the room

A few days ago, he allegedly said: "I'm in bad condition, I barely sleep, I am waiting for the moment I collapse."

Kamperman was once caught in possession of five cannabis plants which he claimed he turned into oil to help friends suffering from cancer, de Gelderlander reported. He was found guilty of illegal drug possession and cultivating, but was not punished.

Parliament was shut after Kamperman's alleged suicide attempt, with cops sealing off the plenary hall from curious onlookers.

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Police officers were seen investigating the plenary hall and public balcony.

In the Netherlands, cannabis and hallucinogenic mushrooms are tolerated by the authorities in small quantities for personal use even though they are officially forbidden by law.

The country's infamous "coffee shops" are only allowed to sell this type of substance and no more than five grams of cannabis per person per day, and they are strictly governed by local laws.