By Martin Walker
Phil Wilson was today back in the region after he got caught up trying to keep the peace during an extraordinary Parliamentary brawl this week.
Our MP got caught up in an alleged confrontation in Strangers Bar, the House of Commons bar for MPs, on Wednesday, when he was reported to have been elbowed in the face.
TV reports said Mr Wilson was left “covered in blood” after the incident, which involved a number of MPs, after trying to act as peacemaker during the alleged fracas.
Aycliffe Today have tried contacting Mr Wilson this afternoon but he was unavailable for comment.
It is understood he has given a full statement to police, and the Northern Echo this morning quoted Mr Wilson saying: “There was blood all down my shirt and I’ve got a bruise on my chin.
“I then went outside onto the terrace and all I saw after that was about six police officers in the bar.
“The vast majority of MPs work hard and like to pop down there to catch up. What happened on Wednesday night was a oneoff.
“I can’t remember anything like that ever happening before.”
■ Labour MP Eric Joyce has been charged with assault and was released on police bail last night after spending around 24 hours in custody.
Scotland Yard later confirmed the politician had been charged with three counts of common assault and will appear on bail at West London Magistrates’ Court next month.
Joyce, the MP for Falkirk, was seen being driven away from the rear of Belgravia Police Station in central London in a car at around 11.20pm following his release.
A Labour Party spokesman said: ‘‘This is an extremely serious incident. We have suspended Eric Joyce pending the police investigation.”
