THE 'wild side' of Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper has left him hobbling around Westminster.
The Immigration Minister has broken his foot after dancing on a table in London's Soho and falling off it. But he has vowed to carry on with his duties and still be at the Forest Relay for Life on Saturday to honour his annual commitment to the fundraiser.
Mr Harper has been seen limping around on crutches and said: "I was dancing on a table in a bar in Soho when I fell off and broke my foot.
"My wife Margaret was with me – but thankfully she's a far better dancer so didn't fall off."
The politician was given plenty of ribbing by fellow Conservative and Forest of Dean councillor Len Lawton when he held a surgery in Newent on Friday.
Councillor Lawton said: "We found it hilarious and gave him plenty of stick. The imagination runs wild when you hear it was when he was dancing on a table at a bar in Soho.
"He said it happened at his wife's leaving do and he alighted from the table very inelegantly.
"I know dozens of people who would just sit back but it's good he's getting on with it – although his staff are getting the rough end as they have to drive him everywhere."
Mr Harper has said the injury will not stop him being in Lydney for the relay in aid of Cancer Research UK at the weekend but will just be moving "a bit more slowly than usual".
On hearing of his tumble, event organiser Lynne Garner said: "He really does move mountains to make sure he's here every year."
She added: "Mark definitely has a fun side. Obviously we're sad to hear he has broken his foot but we will be giving him some stick about how he did it.
"We'll have to try and get him a buggy or wheelchair so he can do his usual tour of everything.
"He has been a loyal supporter for the last eight years and the team love to see him because he visits every stall and speaks to the survivors."
