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MP Joyce won't face charges

MP Eric Joyce will not face charges after he was arrested on suspicion of assault and ABH following an incident outside a bar in Parliament. The Crown Prosecution Service said there was "insufficient evidence" and witnesses were "inconsistent."

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Eric Joyce involved in 'margins of the fracas'

What I said in the very first instance when I put a small, or probably too large release out over the internet, it turned out to be essentially the truth and the fact is there's no further action.

I don't feel particularly joyous about that. I was involved in the margins of the fracas and clearly it was the first time I had been back in a bar for over a year.

That was a shame. But the fact is the police have looked at it now for two weeks and there is to be no further action.

– Eric Joyce, SPEAKING TO SKY NEWS

'Insufficient evidence' Eric Joyce committed an offence

The Crown Prosecution Service has said there was "insufficient evidence" that Eric Joyce MP had committed an offence after he was arrested on suspicion of assault and ABH following an incident outside a bar in the House of Commons.

Although there appears to have been an incident on the evening in question, evidence obtained from witnesses contained multiple inconsistencies and there is insufficient evidence that Mr Joyce committed any offence.

On this basis, we have concluded there is insufficient evidence to support a realistic prospect of conviction and that no further action should be taken.

– A CPS spokesperson

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Eric Joyce hits back at 'alcoholic' claims in website post

The MP arrested after an alleged brawl in a parliamentary bar denied he was drunk at the time and hit out at claims he was an alcoholic.

In a posting on his website, Eric Joyce insisted he had consumed "by any standards a very modest amount" and criticised a decision by officials to bar him from drinking at Parliament.

And, amid calls for him to quit after the second such incident in recent years, he defended his "diligence" as the independent constituency MP for Falkirk.

Eric Joyce. Credit: Press Association

Mr Joyce resigned from the Labour Party last year after being fined and handed a three-month pub and bar ban for punching and head-butting fellow MPs.

He was arrested on suspicion of assault on Thursday after an altercation at the Sports and Social Club apparently over taking a glass out to a smoking area.

The former soldier was released on bail yesterday.

The MP said he was limited in his responses to reports about him as he wanted to "respect the police inquiry".

But in a series of points he sought to correct what he said were false reports about his health and general behaviour.

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MP banned from buying alcohol on Parliamentary estate indefinitely

The Serjeant at Arms has confirmed that yesterday evening the Member for Falkirk was detained following a disturbance on the Parliamentary Estate.

The House authorities take their responsibility for the welfare of those who work in and visit the Commons estate very seriously.

The authorities promote responsible alcohol use and have policies in place to encourage staff and Members to consume alcohol accordingly.

Alcohol-related incidents on the Estate are rare, and the serious incident last night was counter to the policies in place.

Given the Member for Falkirk has previously been found guilty of an alcohol-related incident on the Parliamentary Estate, the Speakers and House authorities have agreed that with immediate effect the Member for Falkirk will be prohibited from purchasing and being served alcoholic beverages from all Parliamentary facilities.

This ban will be indefinite subject to the outcome of police investigations.

– House of Commons spokesman
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