Paul Farrelly pleads self-defence in Westminster brawl

Paul Farrelly (photo),​ a former correspondent and news editor (Reuters 1990-1995), is in the news for punching a newspaper vendor outside a House of Commons bar.

Farrelly, 49, a Labour member of parliament since 2001, said he became involved in the brawl in a corridor after chastising Bjorn Hurrell, who delivers newspapers at the Palace of Westminster, for being "lary" - loud, aggressive and anti-social - at the Sport and Social Club, one of several bars in the British parliament building.

He said he acted in self-defence after Hurrell followed him outside the bar and attempted to “land a haymaker” on him. “I got up and struck him and then wrestled him to the ground face down. I’m only 5 foot 7 but I used to play quite a bit of rugby so I know how to defend myself.”

Farrelly said he had been attending a rugby club social on Thursday night before moving on to the Sport and Social Club. ■