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File photo of Eric Joyce, MP. The Labour Party/Press Association Images

British Labour MP arrested for alleged assault in Commons bar

Eric Joyce, MP for Falkirk, has been suspended by Labour pending the outcome of a police investigation.

A BRITISH Labour MP has been suspended from the party following allegations he assaulted a rival MP in a parliamentary bar last night.

Eric Joyce, MP for Falkirk, was arrested yesterday evening on suspicion of assault. A Scotland Yard spokesperson this afternoon confirmed to the Press Association that a man aged in his 50s who was arrested at the Strangers’ Bar last night is still in custody for questioning.

A spokesperson for the Labour Party said it was an “extremely serious incident”, adding that Joyce has been suspended “pending the results of the police investigation.”

The Conservative MP allegedly assaulted by Joyce, Stuart Andrew, today responded to queries on Twitter with: “Thank you. I’m ok.”

The BBC reports that the incident was briefly raised in the House of Commons today, with Speaker John Bercow confirming that he had been informed “by the Serjeant at Arms that the honourable member for Falkirk has been detained in police custody.” He added that the matter is being treated very seriously and is under investigation.

Bercow requested that the incident would not be mentioned further in the Commons today.

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    Mute Peter Carroll
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 4:34 PM

    The sad result of selling below cost,taxpayer subsidised, alcohol the the Pariamentary bar. Better introduce minimum pricing in the Dail bars before the problem spreads to here. If not we might see ministers driving on the wrong way down motorways; or worse still TD’s ranting and roaring in the House!!

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    Mute Danny Kelly
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 4:39 PM

    I can tell you from experience that the bar in the Commons is the same price (and decor) as in any other pub in England, and that this unfortunately is not the worst thing that has ever happened there…

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    Mute Gerard Murphy
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 5:25 PM

    So you are saying Danny that the beer in the commons bar is dirt cheap?

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 11:01 PM

    You assume he was drunk. You don’t need to be drunk to hit a Tory MP.

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    Mute Peter Carroll
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    Feb 24th 2012, 9:05 AM

    John, yes I did assume he was drunk. The clue was in the fact that he also managed to thump a Labour MP!

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    Mute Noel Carroll
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 3:50 PM

    Surely he’s now the dishonourable member for Falkirk ;)

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    Mute Aleo
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 5:12 PM

    Shouldn’t there be room for a naughty step at the Palace of Westminster?

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    Mute Bryan Holmes
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    Feb 23rd 2012, 7:30 PM

    Maybe Joyce & Frank Fahey could go 3 rounds in a Commons v Dail heavyweight championship ?

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