Tory MP ‘in failed suicide bid’
By politics.co.uk staff
Former shadow minister David Ruffley is recovering after what appears to have been a suicide attempt in a London railway station.
The Bury St Edmunds MP was seen by eyewitnesses to have jumped in front of a Gatwick Express train at London Victoria station on Thursday evening.
He survived with only minor injuries and, although taken to St Thomas’ hospital to be examined, was not thought to have been badly hurt. British Transport police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious.
The incident reportedly took place at 17:00 BST on Thursday during the rush-hour. A Conservative party spokesperson said: “David Ruffley received minor injuries at a London railway station on Thursday evening.”
Mr Ruffley increased his share of the vote to 47.5% in the general election, but did not see his shadow minister for policing reform post translated into a Home Office appointment because of the coalition government.
Criticism from the press after his expenses claims, which nearly led to an election challenge from Terry Waite, were thought to have dampened his enthusiasm for politics to the extent he nearly decided to abandon his 2010 campaign.
“We thought he had turned the corner when he was re-elected,” a close friend was quoted by the Mail on Sunday newspaper as saying.
“But we noticed he wasn’t coming to the Commons and realised he still had problems. It is very sad.”
Mr Ruffley was first elected to parliament in 1997.
