Labour MP denies reports of 'drunken Brexit fracas' in House of Commons

Passionate pro-EU member claims he victim of 'dirty tricks' campaign

Paul Farrelly was allegedly involved in a brouhaha with two other Labour MPs (Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament)

Labour MP Paul Farrelly has denied reports he “squared up” to a colleague in the House of Commons following a late night row about Brexit.

The Mail on Sunday reported that passionate Remain campaigner Mr Farrelly, the member for Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, “went berserk” and launched into a “drunken, foul-mouthed tirade” at his Labour colleague James Frith.

The Labour Party said it is launching an internal investigation following “a number of complaints” about the alleged rumpus said to have taken place in the voting lobby following a Commons debate that lasted late into the evening.

Mr Farrelly would only confirm he had “brief, cross words” with two Labour MPs in a Commons bar, and claimed he was the victim of a “dirty tricks” campaign.

The alleged confrontation with Bury North MP Mr Frith is said to have taken place following a separate row with two other Labour MPs, Ruth Smeeth and Gareth Snell, whose Stoke constituencies border Mr Farrelly’s.

Former journalist Mr Farrelly voted against triggering Article 50 to begin the process of leaving the EU in March. Both Mr Snell and Ms Smeeth are pro-EU but represent seats in 'Brexit country', with Stoke voters being more pro-Leave than any other are of the UK. He saw his majority reduced to just 30 in the June general election.

Both Stoke MPs backed the "name the date" amendments put forward by Brexit-backing Labour MP Frank Field.

Mr Farrelly said the Mail on Sunday story “seems to boil down to something about queue-pushing in a Commons vote last week, and I have no idea what that’s about.”

He added: “Last Tuesday, in the corridors of the House of Commons, I had brief, cross words with my Labour next door neighbours Ruth Smeeth and Gareth Snell about their surprise, opportunistic backing for hardline 'name the Brexit date' amendments tabled by Frank Field MP."

Mr Farrelly added: "Last week, Frank eventually withdrew his amendment, which was also opposed by the Labour front bench.

“That was the context for my brief remark to my Stoke colleagues last week, namely: ‘I bet you’re rather glad that Frank withdrew that amendment you signed, aren’t you?’ This seems to have upset my Stoke colleagues.”

Mr Farrelly said he would be speaking to the Labour Chief Whip about the matter as it was “the right thing to do.”

He admitted it was “an open secret” he does not get on with the two Stoke MPs, who have both proposed amendments to the Brexit bill regarding the official enshrining of its date into law.

Mr Snell has admitted he was among those to lodge a complaint about Mr Farrelly.

He said: "I and a number of other MPs complained about Paul Farrelly’s conduct that night and we are now awaiting the results of the investigation.”

Ms Smeeth has not yet commented.