Strangers’ Bar

At least Eric Joyce was boozed when he bashed an opponent, not just pissed off at someone who had called him out for being a rooter.

The MP for Falkirk, who admitted violent conduct during a drunken frenzy the Stranger’s Bar in the House of Commons, has tendered his resignation from the Labour Party.

The former soldier, 51, confirmed that he was leaving the Labour party as he apologised to colleagues for a fight in Strangers’ Bar in parliament on Feb 22.

Mr Joyce said in a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon that he clearly “had a number of personal issues to address” as he apologised to the Commons, his victims, and police who attended the scene.

He went on to say that his behaviour had “fallen egregiously below what is required” by an MP.

Mr Joyce swore at officers after headbutting Tory MP Stuart Andrew and councillor Ben Maney in an attack in February.

He also attacked Tory councillor Luke Mackenzie before turning on Labour whip Phillip Wilson.

It looks like the wowsers are out in force in the UK. If top totty is banned does that mean only beers that feature Darien Fenton and Sue Moroney on the label would be appropriate?

A beer called Top Totty has been banned from the Strangers’ Bar in the House of Commons because its pump plate, featuring a half-naked woman, offended female MPs.

Shadow equalities minister Kate Green was left ”disturbed” after seeing the 4 per cent ale’s advertising in the popular parliamentary watering hole and demanded bar staff remove it from sale.

Within 90 minutes, House authorities ordered the beer to be withdrawn after Commons’ Leader Sir George Young told MPs: ”Action will be taken.”

A barman told the Press Association: ”I can confirm it was withdrawn from sale at 1.30pm.”

The bitter backlash developed after Ms Green told the Commons: ”I was disturbed last night to learn that the guest beer in the Strangers’ Bar is called Top Totty and there is a picture of a nearly naked woman on the tap.”

She called for a debate on ”dignity at work in Parliament” and asked Sir George to back her demands for Top Totty to be ”withdrawn immediately from the bar”.

Top Totty’s Stafford-based brewer Slater’s describes the ale as ”a stunning blonde beer, full-bodied with a voluptuous hop aroma”.

Its website adds: ”This award winning beer, brewed solely with Whitbread Goldings hops, produces an initial burst of bitterness with a citrus fruity finish.”

BTW the brewer is  Slater’s:

The beer’s withdrawal will come as a blow to Tory MP Jeremy Lefroy, who organised for Top Totty to be sold in Strangers’.

Announcing its introduction as the bar’s guest ale, the Stafford MP said: ”This is a great opportunity to showcase a fantastic and award winning beer.

”Slater’s Brewery produces many popular beers which have been brewed locally for more than 15 years and it is great to be able to share some of Staffordshire’s finest produce with colleagues in Parliament.”