MP Neil Coyle suspended from Parliament for five days over bullying incidents

The MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, Neil Coyle, has been suspended from Parliament for five days after an investigation found he breached bullying and harassment policies following “excessive” drinking.

Mr Coyle will be barred from Parliament from Monday to Friday next week and will be unable to take part in debates during that time.

An Independent Expert Panel report found Mr Coyle had used “foul-mouthed and drunken abuse” towards another MP’s assistant, and comments with “racial overtones” towards British-Chinese political journalist for The Guardian, Henry Dyer.

MPs approved the suspension of Mr Coyle following the report on Tuesday evening.

Both incidents took place in Parliament’s Strangers’ Bar.

Mr Coyle has previously spoken out about his relationship with alcohol and said that around the time of the incident in February 2022 he was drinking 200 units each week – about 10 pints of beer a night.

Mr Coyle, who has spoken about quitting alcohol for a year and has pleaded with Sir Keir Starmer to readmit him to the Labour parliamentary party, accepted he was drunk on both occasions.

In an apology in the Commons on Friday, the independent MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark said he was “ashamed” of his behaviour and the intervention had “quite possibly saved my life” by compelling him to stop drinking.

Mr Coyle said: “I’m deeply sorry for my offensive behaviour and language last year. I have apologised since last February and will continue to do so.

“I have lived and worked in China, have multiple Chinese family members, and serve a vibrant, diverse community and acknowledge the hurt and upset I caused.

“I’m ashamed that alcohol had become so problematic in my life that I had developed a dependency. After a year-long ban from Labour, I’ve worked hard to continue battling discrimination, including providing a guide to help in the cost-of-living crisis and successfully campaigning against Transport for London cuts to Southwark bus services and their diverse workforce.

“I’m pleased to have managed a full year without alcohol. I’m back, fighting fit having lost three stone. Alcohol no longer negatively affects my judgement, relationships or behaviour.

“I’m grateful for all the support in stopping drinking, including to friends, family, Labour members, as well as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

“I will remain teetotal and I’m hugely grateful to the people in Southwark who have given me so much and been so amazingly supportive.

“I thank you again for giving me the chance to serve and will not let you down through alcohol again.”

Pictured top: Neil Coyle MP (Picture: UK Parliament)