Neil Coyle: South London MP suspended by Labour Party after allegations of racist comments to a journalist

Neil Coyle has been suspended from the Labour Party after allegations that the south London MP made racist comments to a journalist in Parliament.

The Bermondsey and Old Southwark, has been accused of using offensive language in conversation with a reporter at Strangers’ Bar, who said it caused him to feel “uncomfortable in my place of work”.

Henry Dyer, who covers politics for Insider, said he reported the alleged comments to the Commons Speaker, who he said took “immediate action” with his staff and suspended Mr Coyle from the bars on the estate pending an investigation.

The Labour Party today said it had suspended the whip from Mr Coyle, which means he is currently not a Labour MP.

A spokesperson said: “The Labour Party expects the highest standards of behaviour from all our MPs and we take allegations of this sort very seriously.

“Accordingly the chief whip has now suspended the Labour whip from Neil Coyle pending an investigation.”

Mr Dyer, who is British-Chinese, released a personal statement about the incident on February 1 on the Insider website.

He said: “After marking Chinese New Year with my family, I went to the bar where Neil Coyle made racist comments.

“I was made to feel uncomfortable while covering parliament, which led to my lodging a formal complaint.

“I hope this raises awareness of anti-Asian racism and of inappropriate conduct.”

It is understood after Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle became aware of Mr Dyer’s allegations, he convened a meeting with the Serjeant at Arms who ordered that Mr Coyle should be suspended from bars in the Commons for six months.

Authorities in the House of Lords are believed to have taken similar action.

Mr Coyle said: “I’m very sorry for my insensitive comments, have apologised to everyone involved and will be cooperating fully with the investigation.”

However Insider political editor Cat Neilan responded: “This hasn’t been sent to anyone in our team, including Henry Dyer.”