| |
|
quote:A Labour MP took the extraordinary step yesterday of complaining to Tony Blair and the Speaker of the Commons, Michael Martin, that he had been "physically and verbally attacked" on parliamentary premises - by other MPs from his own party.
Paul Marsden, the member for Shrewsbury and Atcham since 1997, wrote to the prime minister and Mr Martin after bruising exchanges over the government's controversial anti-terrorism bill on Tuesday night, first on the floor of the Commons, then in the popular Strangers' Bar shortly before three in the morning.
Labour whips dismissed talk of physical violence as absurd. But Liberal Democrats who saw at least some of the exchanges said they were fierce.
....
a number of MPs went for a drink in the Strangers' Bar, which stays open during late debates.
With government whips still smarting at the setback, one Labour loyalist allegedly pushed Mr Marsden hard in the back. Another called him "an arsehole". There is a history of resentment towards his independent-minded attitudes.
The climax came, Mr Marsden said, when a government whip "put his right arm across my throat and leant into my face with his face".
"He told me, 'If you don't stop this the whips cannot be responsible for other MPs hurting you'." Earlier the whip had asked him to stop talking to Mr Opik and Matthew Green, two Lib Dem neighbours on the Welsh borders.
As above, so below. Full story here. |
|
|
