A British MP who was drunk, violent, disorderly and abusive in a House of Commons bar, was convicted yesterday just over three weeks after the incident but was spared a prison sentence.
The Scottish Labour Party MP for Falkirk, Eric Joyce, admitted what happened on February 22nd when he assaulted four other politicians while drunk and telling the police: “You can’t touch me, I’m an MP.”
He also called officers “c**ts” after going berserk in the bar and headbutting Tory MP Stuart Andrew and councillor Ben Maney.
Yesterday, Howard Riddle, chief magistrate at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, fined him £3,000 and ordered him to pay £1,400 to victims after he entered early guilty pleas. Joyce was also given a 12-month community order – banning him from entering pubs and licensed premises for three months – and imposed with a curfew order from Friday to Sunday.
Joyce also attacked Tory councillor Luke Mackenzie before turning on Labour whip Phillip Wilson. The politician – who accepted he was “hammered” during the brawl – expressed his “shame and embarrassment” through his barrister, Jeremy Dein QC.
“He is unreservedly apologetic for what occurred on the night in question,” Mr Dein said. – (PA)
