News / International
U.K. lawmaker 'headbutted' by fellow MP
23 Feb 2012 at 22:24hrs | Views
A British MP coming from a party for a Canadian parliamentary delegation was reportedly head-butted by a fellow MP, who was then hauled away by police in handcuffs.
The incident took place late Wednesday in the wood-panelled MPs-only Strangers Bar in the British House of Commons.
Eric Joyce, a Labour MP, was suspended Thursday after his arrest following the late-night brawl, which left rival Conservative MP Stuart Andrew with a bloody nose, according to London's Daily Telegraph.
"This is an extremely serious incident. We have suspended Eric Joyce pending the results of the police investigation," a Labour party spokesman said.
Police confirmed that they had arrested a man in his 50s following a disturbance at a bar in the House of Commons.
Media reports said Stuart Andrew, a lawmaker from Prime Minister David Cameron's ruling Conservative party, claimed to have been headbutted in the incident, although neither his office nor Joyce's would comment.
Andrew was in the bar after an event organized for the Canadian delegation.
A police spokesman said: "We were called at approximately 10:50 p.m. last night to reports of a disturbance at a bar within the House of Commons.
"A man aged in his 50s was arrested by officers on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody in a central London police station. Inquiries are continuing."
Joyce, 51, has been the member of parliament for Falkirk in Scotland since 2000, and before that he served in the army.
In the Commons chamber on Thursday, 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."
The incident took place late Wednesday in the wood-panelled MPs-only Strangers Bar in the British House of Commons.
Eric Joyce, a Labour MP, was suspended Thursday after his arrest following the late-night brawl, which left rival Conservative MP Stuart Andrew with a bloody nose, according to London's Daily Telegraph.
"This is an extremely serious incident. We have suspended Eric Joyce pending the results of the police investigation," a Labour party spokesman said.
Police confirmed that they had arrested a man in his 50s following a disturbance at a bar in the House of Commons.
Media reports said Stuart Andrew, a lawmaker from Prime Minister David Cameron's ruling Conservative party, claimed to have been headbutted in the incident, although neither his office nor Joyce's would comment.
Andrew was in the bar after an event organized for the Canadian delegation.
A police spokesman said: "We were called at approximately 10:50 p.m. last night to reports of a disturbance at a bar within the House of Commons.
"A man aged in his 50s was arrested by officers on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody in a central London police station. Inquiries are continuing."
Joyce, 51, has been the member of parliament for Falkirk in Scotland since 2000, and before that he served in the army.
In the Commons chamber on Thursday, 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."
Source - nationalpost.com
