An MP should be suspended from Parliament for five days over two alcohol-fuelled incidents in a Commons bar, a watchdog has said.
Neil Coyle, who lost the Labour whip after the complaints, faces the sanctions after a report from the Independent Expert Panel, which considers allegations of misconduct by MPs.
Mr Coyle, who told the Mirror last week that quitting drinking had saved his life, was found to have breached Parliament's bullying and harassment rules when he "used abusive language with racial overtones” to a British-Chinese political journalist.
The other incident related to "foul-mouthed and drunken abuse" of another MP's assistant.
Both incidents occurred in the Strangers' Bar in the Commons.
Today, Mr Coyle apologised in the House of Commons and said he is "ashamed" of his behaviour.
He said: "I want to say how sorry I am for the upset and offence my behaviour caused last year.
"I wish to specifically apologise to the two complainants who were subject to my drunk and offensive behaviour and attitude.
"I cannot apologise enough for the harm and upset caused, and I'm ashamed of my conduct frankly. It should not have happened."
He said the intervention from the complainants had "quite possibly saved my life" by prompting him to stop drinking alcohol.
The IEP report has said the independent MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark "made such comments while under the influence of excessive amounts of alcohol which, while undoubtedly contributing to his behaviour, in no way excuse it, as the respondent rightly accepts.
"Nonetheless, since the incident, the respondent has taken considerable steps to ensure no repetition of the behaviour, including informing us that he has stopped drinking alcohol."
Mr Coyle should apologise in the Commons for both incidents, the panel recommended.
He should be suspended for three sitting days for use of "abusive language with racial overtones” towards journalist Henry Dyer, it said.
Mr Dyer had alleged that Mr Coyle suggested another Labour MP was being "paid by “Fu Manchu” (a fictional Chinese 'supervillain') during a conversation in the bar in February 2022.
The report details his claim that he explained to Mr Coyle that he is half-Chinese and the MP "replied he could tell from how [the complainant] looked that he’d “been giving Renminbi to [named MP]”. Renminbi is the Chinese currency."
Mr Dyer also alleged that Mr Coyle later made an abusive gesture at him as he left the bar.
The panel said the "inappropriate and unacceptable reference to ‘Fu Manchu’ was followed by further abusive comments directed specifically at the complainant."
Mr Coyle accepted the term was "deeply insensitive" and has taken steps to educate himself, the report said. He also publicly apologised and said he regretted his words.
Mr Dyer, who now works for the Guardian, said: "Everyone working in Parliament should be able to do so without harassment and abuse.
"I spoke out to raise awareness of racism, particularly anti-Asian racism, and of inappropriate conduct.
"I am grateful to the ICGS for the way in which they have handled this matter, and to my colleagues and friends for their support and kindness. I am pleased this process has concluded and I can get on with my work as a journalist reporting on Westminster."
The panel also recommended a two-day suspension for another incident in January 2022, which involved "repeated, high-volume swearing and shouting at a junior member of Parliamentary staff, by an established MP".
The whole bar fell silent and a member of staff and another MP intervened due to the row between Mr Coyle and the complainant, who had both been drinking, the report said.
Mr Coyle was banned from Parliament's bars for six months following this event and another related incident, the report said.
The chair of the panel Sir Stephen Irwin criticised both Mr Dyer and Mr Coyle for speaking publicly about the incident before the decision had been published.
It is understood that the suspension of the Labour whip remains in place.
