Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen claims he was 'slapped on the head' and sworn at in report on fellow member
By Ashby Nub News Reporter 17th Oct 2023
Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen has reported a fellow member to the parliamentary authorities for an alleged 'slap on the back of the head'.
The North West Leicestershire MP, who joined the Reclaim Party after being kicked out by the Conservatives, has demanded that Tory MP Crispin Blunt apologises for the 'chop' which is said to have taken place in Parliament yesterday (Monday).
The Press Association says that, when asked about the reports, Mr Blunt said the allegation was 'not correct'.
But parliamentary officials confirmed they were aware of an incident.
The alleged 'slap' is said to have taken place in the atrium of Portcullis House.
Mr Bridgen also claimed the Reigate MP called him a 'bastard'.
He told the PA news agency he believed the incident was 'completely unprovoked', apart from him having questioned to a newspaper why he had the whip removed by the Tories, but Mr Blunt had not, for past comments about Hamas.
Asked about reports that he had slapped Mr Bridgen round the head and sworn at him, Mr Blunt told the BBC it was 'not correct' and that he had 'spoken briefly' to Mr Bridgen in the Chamber to 'try and understand what he thought happened that led to his report'.
Mr Blunt said he did not intend to take matters further. Mr Bridgen said he was not injured in the incident and claimed a 'number of witnesses' who saw the incident had spoken to Parliament's authorities after he reported it to security.
The Ashby MP told the PA news agency: "I was sitting at one of the round tables in Portcullis House and he went by the back of me and hit me on the back of the head with his hand and said, 'You're a bastard' and then legged it off.
"I was just completely shocked. That's not the behaviour you would expect from a Member of Parliament.
"I'm asking for an apology, it's just unbelievable behaviour."
A Parliamentary spokesperson said: "The Behaviour Code makes clear the standards of behaviour expected of everyone in Parliament - whether MPs, staff, members' staff, members of the House of Lords, press, contractors or visitors.
"There is zero tolerance for abuse or harassment."
Mr Bridgen's wife, Nevena, also highlighted the incident on social media.
She posted on X: "I was sitting at the table with Ksenija Pavlovic McAteer when Crispin Blunt slapped Andrew Bridgen on the head from behind, called him a 'bastard' and walked off.
"We called the security immediately to report. I'm tired Rishi Sunak of perpetual abuse we are getting from the Conservatives.
"First, they created hostile atmosphere against my family when Rishi Sunak did not end constant name calling and verbal abuse in the Chamber, in the media and the corridors of the House of Commons by the Conservatives.
"Now everyone thinks they can harass us even when the family sits at the table."
In a further post today (Tuesday), she added: "I want to see how Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives will respond to Crispin Blunt's unacceptable, violent behaviour in the House of Commons yesterday.
"We all know that if Andrew Bridgen did what Blunt did, they would join a bipartisan initiative to sanction him, publicly, and make him an example."
Ms McAteer, a news publisher, also said on X: "It's TRUE! Yes, I can confirm too that Andrew Bridgen was slapped on the head from behind by Crispin Blunt while Nevana Bridgen, Andrew and I were sitting at the table having a private conversation in Portcullis House.
"We immediately gave our statements to the parliamentary security and reported the incident. First verbal abuse from Rishi Sunak's Conservatives that is now turning into physical violence at the heart of the UK Parliament.
"Unacceptable and it must be condemned by the PM."
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