Parliament
British lawmaker too drunk to vote
A British MP has apologised for becoming so drunk at a parliamentary bar that he missed a crucial budget vote.
Mark Reckless, 39, a Conservative party lawmaker got so drunk at a bar located in the Houses of Parliament that he fell over during a late-night debate, The Sun reported.
Mr Reckless, who had to be helped into a taxi home by colleagues, said: "I feel very embarrassed. It's a mistake I will not be repeating.
"I don't know what came over me. It was a long day and I'd had a very early breakfast meeting.
"I normally have just one or two and know when to stop. I don't know what happened. I don't remember falling over."
Mr Reckless - who represents the Rochester and Strood constituency in Kent, southern England - said that because of his unsteady state it would have been "inappropriate" for him to have voted.
The vote on Labour attempts to block a planned consumption tax hike finally took place at 2.07am local time Wednesday after more than six hours of debate.
It was defeated by the government. Parliamentary bars took a record £5,000 ($8500) as lawmakers killed time waiting for the vote.
(Published by Herald Sun – July 12, 2010)