Commons assault MP Eric Joyce escapes jail sentence
By politics.co.uk staff
The MP who made headlines last months for a brawl in a House of Commons bar has been banned from entering pubs for three months.
Joyce was also given a 12-month community order for attacking Tory MP Stuart Andrew, two councillors, and Labour whip Phil Wilson.
He has also received a £3000 fine and must pay £1,400 to compensate his victims.
He pleaded guilty to four charges – one of which was assault by beating.
The Falkirk MP's lawyer, Jeremy Dein QC, said Joyce was "unreservedly apologetic for what occurred on the night in question" and wished to express his "shame and embarrassment".
Ex-Army Joyce, who has been expelled from the Labour party for his behaviour, made the news last month when he began attacking fellow politicians in the House of Commons' Strangers Bar.
He allegedly shouted that there were "too many Tories" in the bar before proceeding to tell police: "You can't touch me, I'm an MP". He said afterwards his drinking was no excuse for what happened.
Joyce is lucky not to have incurred a sentence of over 12 months, which would have resulted in him automatically losing his seat under parliamentary rules.
