A Kent MP has apologised for being drunk in the House of Commons and missing a vote on the Budget. Mark Reckless said he did not feel it was appropriate to take part in the vote in the early hours of Wednesday because of the amount he had drunk. The Conservative MP for Rochester and Strood told BBC Radio Kent: “I made a mistake. I'm really sorry about it.” Labour MP Hazel Blears said she returned to the library after it became “a bit lively” on the terrace. Mr Reckless is one of 227 new MPs who started work at Westminster following the general election on 6 May. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/england/kent/10590725.stm added by: ampersand
