Suspended MP begs Labour to let him back into the Party.

A LABOUR MP who was today handed a five-day suspension from the Commons has begged Keir Starmer to let him back into the party.

Speaking exclusively to GB News, Neil Coyle said he remained “very sorry” and that he could offer a 100% percent assurance he wouldn’t let Keir Starmer down again if given a second chance.

Mr Coyle – who was suspended over offensive comments made about Chinese people – also said he’d now gone a year without drinking and was receiving professional support for alcohol addiction.

In an interview to be broadcast in full this Sunday on GB News the MP for Bermondsey in south-east London told Gloria De Piero: “I accept I was responsible for the position I got myself into. There were complaints about my behaviour and language towards others in the parliamentary state.

“I’m very sorry for the inappropriate language and behaviour. It shouldn’t have happened. I was suspended by the Labour Party and I made the decision to stop drinking before there was a suspension or formal complaints were made.

“The longer I’ve done this, the easier it has been to realise that drinking has been a problem for a longer time in my life, and also that the only way to keep myself safer and healthier is to stop altogether, permanently.”

Commenting on the specific incident Mr Coyle continued: “I accept I used inappropriate language. I remain very sorry. It’s a horrible situation to be in. Somebody left a conversation with me feeling upset and offended by what I said and there’s just no excuse to be in that position. I shouldn’t have allowed that to happen and I should have been clear that I was very sorry at the time.I hope that my actions and repeated apology over the last 12 months is seen as sincere and we can move forward.”

Explaining how he hopes to be accepted back into the Labour party, Mr Coyle said he could guarantee Keir Starmer “100%” that he wouldn’t bring the party into disrepute again.

“I’m hoping that I’ll be back in the Labour Party soon,” he said. “My track record shows I represent an incredibly diverse constituency and I think I do it well.”

Mr Coyle also said there were clear differences between him and former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

He said: “The difference between us is he’s never apologised. You know I remain horrified that I left someone upset, not least because I have a Chinese family. I lived in China for two years. I should have known better. And it’s painful. It’s deeply humiliating that I didn’t know that I was using a term that my Chinese family might use, but I shouldn’t.

“It’s a very steep learning curve. But you know the track record I have in my constituency is bringing forward more diverse candidates and I have it in my agenda now to make sure we get more British Chinese representation in the Labour Party.

Explaining how he feels to have hit the one-year booze free milestone, Mr Coyle said: “It’s good. I’ve had no alcoholic drinks, so no hangovers for a year. It’s the first year since my early teens, I think, without a drink. This is perhaps an indication of a broader problem. But it feels good, I feel more ener

getic. I’ve saved money. I’ve saved time. I’ve lost weight. I feel physically better, so it’s been a positive step in what’s been a difficult year.”

Following last year’s incident Mr Coyle was initially banned from six bars at Westminster – but this expired in August.

He explained: “I got a letter from the Serjeant at Arms saying (I was banned from) six of the watering holes in Westminster. The dependency was strong. I was drinking massive, ridiculous quantities that were very harmful to my health.”

He’s now pushing for alcohol free beer to be available on tap.

“I’m keen that they get 0% on the pump,” he said. “It’s a campaign. It’s underway. I think actually the social side of networking is really useful

Revealing how he managed to overcome his alcohol problem he explained: “The first thing for me was to get professional support to stop. I couldn’t have done it without medical help. And that included seeing a doctor, but also medication too.”

Mr Coyle also sought help via the House of Commons workplace assessment support service scheme – but was turned down.

“I can laugh about it now,” he said. “But they said because of unresolved childhood trauma, they wouldn’t treat me for the alcohol addiction until I dealt with that as well. It was incredibly awkward.”

Revealing how hard it’s been to accept he had a problem he added: “I was terrified . I was petrified of what I was giving up. I felt I was giving up part of myself. I felt I was giving up a lifestyle, and something that was integral to me and I thought I would lose a lot through that.”

THE FULL INTERVIEW IS BROADCAST FROM 6PM ON GB NEWS ON SUNDAY MARCH 5