MP Eric Joyce faces airport charges

MP Eric Joyce is facing breach of the peace charges following an incident at Edinburgh Airport.

Mr Joyce was arrested in the domestic arrivals area on Sunday, in front of other passengers and members of staff, according to a bystander.

A Police Scotland official said: "A 52-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with an alleged breach of the peace, which happened at Edinburgh Airport on Sunday May 19."

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: "We can confirm that an incident did occur on Sunday evening and an individual was arrested for being abusive and confrontational towards airport staff and police.

"Behaviour of this nature is something we have zero tolerance for at Edinburgh Airport and police officers will act accordingly if the safety of our passengers and employees is put at risk."

It is understood the incident was sparked after Mr Joyce left a mobile phone on a plane and was not allowed to immediately retrieve it.

Mr Joyce sits as an independent member representing Falkirk after resigning from the Labour Party last year. The former soldier has been an MP since 2000.

Labour suspended its selection process for the seat following concerns about ''membership recruitment'' earlier this month.

The move follows reports that the Unite trade union had recruited dozens of new members in Falkirk, potentially giving it the chance to influence the choice of parliamentary candidate.