Labour MP's anger after London cyclist leaves him bruised

A Labour MP has spoken of his anger after being left with “massive bruises” when he was hit by a cyclist in Central London.

Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield and shadow minister for small and medium-sized enterprises, was heading to yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Questions at the time.

He tweeted:

Got to love those London cyclists. Just been knocked off my feet by cyclist overtaking static traffic at lights. We had words.

— Toby Perkins MP (@tobyperkinsmp) June 18, 2014

It is unclear whether the cyclist was riding through a red light at the time, or whether Mr Perkins was crossing at a green pedestrian signal, although from a subsequent exchange, the implication is that the rider ignored a traffic signal.

Political commentator Owen Jones, author of the books Chavs and The Establishment, leapt to the defence of the capital’s bike riders, and received a reply from the MP which suggested the cyclist had ridden through a red light:

@OwenJones84 Appreciate that. Cyclists are often victims of dangerous driving, but so many I see will do anything to prevent having to stop.

— Toby Perkins MP (@tobyperkinsmp) June 18, 2014

In November 2012, Mr Perkins announced he was supporting the road safety charity Brake's Go 20 campaign, aimed at making the roads safer for cyclists - and pedestrians.