Politician charged after bar brawl at British parliament
Eric Joyce faces 3 assault charges in connection with fight
The Associated Press
Posted: Feb 24, 2012 8:43 AM ET
Last Updated: Feb 24, 2012 12:48 PM ET
A British MP has been charged with three counts of common assault after an alleged brawl in a bar inside the Houses of Parliament, police said Friday.
Police confirmed that Eric Joyce was charged with the offences late on Thursday and will appear at West London Magistrates Court on March 7.
The 51-year-old parliamentarian, who joined the House of Commons in 2000, has already been suspended from the main opposition Labour Party while police investigate the incident at Strangers Bar.
Media reports said Friday that Joyce is alleged to have been heard objecting to the number of Conservative Party members inside the venue, before purportedly striking Conservative MP Stuart Andrew.
Andrew has not commented, apart from tweets in response to questions, saying "I'm OK."
Strangers Bar is one of about 20 cafes, restaurants and bars inside the world-famous Parliament building. The bar, which offers views of the River Thames, is open only to lawmakers and their invited guests.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Canada expels all remaining Syrian diplomats
- Canada is expelling all Syrian diplomats remaining in Ottawa to protest the latest escalation in violence against civilians by the Assad regime. more »
- Canadian climber's body taken off Everest
- The body of a Toronto woman who died while descending from the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month has been taken by helicopter to her family in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. more »
- RCMP commissioner pledges to rid force of 'bad apples'
- The RCMP's disciplinary process is so bureaucratic and out of date that "bad apples" end up staying on the force long after they should be thrown out, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson says in a remarkably frank open letter to Canadians. more »
- Ottawa set to shut down hearing on F-35 jet purchase
- The federal government appears set to shut down the only public investigation into Ottawa's fumbling of the F-35 fighter jet purchase. more »
- 'Engine shutdown' forced Air Canada jet to land
- Evolution skeptics will soon be silenced by science: Richard Leakey
- Richard Branson suggests naked kitesurfing to premier
- RCMP commissioner pledges to rid force of 'bad apples'
- Newly discovered malware most lethal cyberweapon to date
- Thunder Bay flooding causes state of emergency
- New Italian earthquake death toll rises to 10
- Canadian climber's body taken off Everest
- Syrian children were executed, UN says
