MPs Brawl in Commons Bar

[Sheilbh]

Labour suspends MP Eric Joyce over assault allegations
Scotland Yard says officers detained a man in his 50s after being called to an incident at a bar in the House of Commons


A Labour party spokesman said: 'We have suspended Eric Joyce pending the results of the police investigation.' Photograph: Murdo Macleod

The Labour MP Eric Joyce has been suspended from the party after allegations of an assault in a House of Commons bar.

Joyce remains MP for Falkirk but cannot take the Labour whip in the Commons until the completion of a police investigation into the incident.

Scotland Yard confirmed that officers detained a man in his 50s after being called to reports of an incident at a bar within the Palace of Westminster at around 10.50pm on Wednesday. He was taken into custody at a central London police station.

A Labour spokesman said: "This is an extremely serious incident. We have suspended Eric Joyce pending the results of the police investigation."

The PoliticsHome website reported that the MP for Falkirk headbutted and punched the Conservative MP Stuart Andrew, and alleged that he lashed out at several Tory MPs and one Labour MP.

Andrew, the MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough, is reportedly planning to press charges against Joyce. In response to a tweet asking how he was, Andrew replied: "Thank you. I am ok."

Speaking in the Commons before transport questions on Thursday morning, the Speaker, John Bercow, said: "Members will be aware of reports of a serious incident in the House last night. I have been informed by the serjeant at arms that the honourable member for Falkirk has been detained in police custody.

"The matter is being investigated. I take this matter very seriously, as do the House authorities. I would ask that no further reference should be made to these reports in the chamber today."

Scotland Yard confirmed on Thursday that they were still questioning a man over the alleged assault. A spokesman said: "The man remains in custody at a central London police station."

An MP since 2000 who was formerly in the army education corps, Joyce tweeted just three days ago: "OK, who's the hardest boxing correspondent in the country? There's only one way to find out ..."

Having maintained an interest in defence and military issues during his time in Westminster, Joyce quit as the private parliament secretary to Bob Ainsworth in 2009 due to his concerns over the war in Afghanistan. He had served as PPS to a number of ministers from 2003, including John Hutton – during the period when he served as defence secretary – Mike O'Brien and Margaret Hodge.

In 2010 he resigned as shadow Northern Ireland minister after pleading guilty to failing to provide a breath test.

[The Larch]

What? A rowdy Scot that gets into a barfight? Say it ain't so! :p

[Neil]

Thuggish behvaior from a Labour MP?  From Scotland?  How stereotypical.

[Grey Fox]

The article suggest that there's more than 1 Bar in the Parliement Building?

Really? How British.

[Sheilbh]

The article suggest that there's more than 1 Bar in the Parliement Building?

Really? How British.

There's four bars and a few restaurants.  I think this one is for MPs and their guests, hence Stranger's Bar.

Edit:  I assume at least one of the bars is for the press?

[Josquius]

Thuggish behvaior from a Labour MP?  From Scotland?  How stereotypical.

Hey, you can't say he's not properly representing his constituants.

[Darth Wagtaros]

British people have no class.