FOREST of Dean Member of Parliament, and Minister for Immigration, Mark Harper MP is reported to have broken his foot after falling while table-dancing in a club in London's Soho.

The incident, which has been widely reported in the press and media, resulted in hospital treatment for Mr Harper, and his foot is now said to be encased in a plaster cast.

The event was at a leaving party for his wife, Margaret, in the central London bar.

In a statement Mr Harper said: "I was table dancing in a bar in Soho when I fell off and broke my foot. My wife Margaret was with me, but thankfully she's a far better dancer so didn't fall off."

The 43-year-old MP is said to be recovering, but that his staff were now having to drive him 'everywhere' as he is unable to drive himself.

Ribald comments on social media website have been posted, and his local Conservative party weigh­ed in too, as Cllr Len Lawton is reported to have commented: "We found it hilarious – and gave him plenty of stick."

He added: "The imagination runs wild when you hear it was when he was dancing on a table in a bar in Soho.

"He said it happened at his wife's leaving do and he alighted from the table very ineligantly."

It is not known if the injury will affect Mr Harpers diary.