Labour MP Eric Joyce Charged with Assault

A Labour MP has been charged with three counts of assault following an alleged brawl in a House of Commons bar.

Eric Joyce, Labour MP for Falkirk, has been suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party after his arrest on Wednesday evening at Strangers' Bar in Westminster.

Joyce, 51, was bailed after spending 24 hours in custody. He will appear at West London magistrate's court on 7 March.

A former army major, Joyce was elected in December 2000 and has served as parliamentary private secretary to several ministers including former defence secretary Bob Ainsworth.

Commons Speaker John Bercow warned MPs that he did not want the issue discussed in the chamber.

He said: "I take this matter very seriously, as do the house authorities. I would ask that no further reference should be made to these reports in the chamber."