MP Eric Joyce resigns from Labour

DISGRACED MP Eric Joyce tendered his resignation as a member of the Labour Party today as he apologised to colleagues for a bar brawl in parliament.

Mr Joyce told the House of Commons he “had a number of personal issues to address”, adding that his behaviour in Strangers’ Bar on February 22 had “fallen egregiously below what is required” by an MP.

Last week, the MP walked away from court with a fine and pub banning order after headbutting Tory rivals Stuart Andrew and Ben Maney in a drunken frenzy.

Flanked in the Commons by Dan Jarvis, another former Army major-turned-MP, Mr Joyce said: “Members will be aware of events in the Strangers’ Bar on February 22 during which the standard of my conduct fell egregiously below what is required by a member of this House, or indeed anyone, anywhere.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to apologise without reservation to the House.”

He added: “Clearly I have a number of personal issues to address, and you can be assured that this will take place.

“I would also like to inform the House that I have today tendered my resignation as a member of the Labour Party to the party leader.”