Fist fight breaks out in the British House of Commons bar

Between MP's (member of Parliament).

I'll have to speak to Brigid about this!

Could you imagine if there were saloons adjoining the U.S. House or Senate chambers?

Headbutts, flying fists break out at Britain’s House of Commons

“There was blood spilled – it was like the Wild West in there,” one MP told the Evening Standard.

It took five security officers to calm the over-excited MP, according to the Evening Standard. He was arrested on suspicion of assault and on Thursday morning was suspended from the Labour caucus. The British Speaker of the House, John Bercow, told reporters he would take the incident “very seriously.”

Heavy drinking is considered a serious problem in Britain’s Parliament. There are bars adjoining the Commons and Lords chambers which are packed before and after sittings; it is widely reported that some MPs have numerous drinks before attending sittings – even in the morning. Stories about drunken brawls and misbehaviour among parliamentarians abound.

For Mr. Scheer, visiting from a House of Commons whose disorder is usually confined to its benches, it must have been an enlightening moment. Then again he was officially in London with a delegation whose topics included “violence in Somalia.”

 

Comments

[Stephen Schaunt]

Too much drink can be problematic. The impairment of judgment does not mix well in an environment like that... kind of like firecrackers in an area where sparks can start quickly.