MP who ‘drank 16 pints of lager a night’ goes sober after doctors warn he was killing himself with booze

28th February 2023

AN MP who “drank 16 pints of lager a night” has gone sober after doctors said he was killing himself with booze.

Neil Coyle, 44, was suspended by Labour after allegedly making racist comments about China in the Commons bar last year.

Neil Coyle was suspended by Labour after allegedly making racist comments about China in a Commons bar last year

Now the independent MP says he attends Alcoholics Anonymous groups.

Describing his habit, he told The Mirror: “I knew I wasn’t in control, was drinking so much, up to 16 pints of lager a night.

“I was advised to cease gradually and given medication to prevent my body reacting badly to the lack of alcohol.

“The doctors said I’d probably have a stroke, heart attack and kill myself.”

Mr Coyle, who was banned from Palace of Westminster bars, apologised and said: “I take personal responsibility.

“I’m embarrassed about the Chinese references.”

A combination of late night votes and MPs living alone in London away from their families means many pour into the bars in the evenings.

Mr Coyle, the MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, does not want a booze ban but said: “Parliament has facilitated it.

“I always lost a bit of weight and drank less when Parliament wasn’t sitting.”