An MP is facing suspension after drunkenly abusing two people in a Commons bar. Neil Coyle has been recommended for a five-day suspension for drunkenly abusing two people in the Strangers bar.
On one occasion it was found he used “abusive language with racial overtones”. The Independent Expert Panel found he breached Parliament’s bullying and harassment policy in a report published on Friday over two incidents.
One was the “foul-mouthed and drunken abuse” of another MP’s assistant and the other was the abuse of political journalist Henry Dyer. Both incidents were investigated under Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) .
The report said former Labour MP Mr Coyle, who has spoken about quitting alcohol for a year, accepts he was “drunk” on both occasions. The now independent MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark “was found to have used abusive language with racial overtones” towards Mr Dyer.
The journalist, who now works for the Guardian, said: “Everyone working in Parliament should be able to do so without harassment and abuse. I spoke out to raise awareness of racism, particularly anti-Asian racism, and of inappropriate conduct.
“I am grateful to the ICGS for the way in which they have handled this matter, and to my colleagues and friends for their support and kindness. I am pleased this process has concluded and I can get on with my work as a journalist reporting on Westminster.”
Neil Coyle, making a statement in the House of Commons, said: “I want to say how sorry I am for the upset and offence my behaviour caused last year. “I wish to specifically apologise to the two complainants who were subject to my drunk and offensive behaviour and attitude.
“I cannot apologise enough for the harm and upset caused, and I’m ashamed of my conduct frankly. It should not have happened.”
Neil Coyle continued in his personal statement to the Commons: “No-one should leave any MP’s company so shocked or appalled at their inappropriate behaviour or failure to meet the standards rightly expected of this office.
“I also wish to apologise to my constituents in Southwark. They faithfully put their trust in me to stand up for their values here in Westminster in three consecutive general elections and who I failed to represent in a way they deserve or would recognise.”
Mr Coyle said he was “ashamed this apology is both necessary and overdue”, including to members of his local Labour Party. The MP went on: “I also wish to thank the two complainants for their bravery. I don’t doubt that it was not easy to submit complaints.
"Their courage has ensured standards have been upheld through an independent process I was proud to support being established and one that exists to tackle the problematic behaviour I sadly exhibited last year. It’s right and proper that I’ve been held to account, sanctioned accordingly and I take my punishment on the chin.
“I fully accept my failings and again express my sincere apologies. I will use the time suspended to reflect on self-improvement and have already undergone some training, including on tackling unconscious bias – which I recommend to all members and their teams.”
Neil Coyle said the intervention from the complainants had “quite possibly saved my life” by prompting him to stop drinking alcohol. He told MPs: “I also owe the complainants my further gratitude for calling out my upsetting words and actions. It forced me to recognise that my drinking had become a dependency and to seek help.
“On March 1 this week I celebrated a year since I stopped drinking and would not have been able to stop without their effective intervention. In the healthcare received since last February, it’s also been made abundantly clear to me that had I not stopped drinking it’d have likely caused a significant stroke or worse. Their intervention has quite possibly saved my life.
“Going forward, I will remain abstinent to offer the best chances for my own health to continue to improve, the best relationship with my daughter and family to continue to grow, and the best service to continue to my constituents. I hope in speaking up publicly about ending my alcohol dependency I am also able to support others struggling to maintain or regain control.”
