Dowd takes a pop at Farrelly
By Tony Grew - 12th November 2010
Labour MP Jim Dowd landed the adjournment debate today on "the appointment of the chair of Lewisham NHS Hospital Trust".
Stirring stuff.
The chamber was deserted, but at one point pugilistic Labour MP Paul Farrelly popped up to intervene.
Dowd gave way and Farrelly, who has admitted punching a Commons news vendor during a fracas near the Sports and Social bar last Thursday, made a point about a similar concern in his Newcastle under Lyme constituency.
Comedian Dowd, who represents Lewisham West, made light of his colleague's recent troubles, and claimed he only gave way to Farrelly to avoid being punched.
Poor Paul. You punch ONE person and they just won't let you forget it.
The MP has claimed he was acting in self-defence.
"It's always regretful to respond to provocation, but actually I think any normal person who is capable of defending themselves would have done exactly as I did," he told the BBC.
"It happened to John Prescott a few years ago. It seems to have happened to me now."
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