MP Byers 'attacked' over expenses

Stephen Byers is the Labour MP for North Tyneside

Former cabinet minister Stephen Byers has been attacked as he arrived to hold a surgery with his constituents.

The North Tyneside MP was sprayed with a soft drink by a man protesting against MPs' expenses.

Police arrested a 64-year-old man at the scene at Shiremoor, near Newcastle, on Saturday. He was then given a caution for common assault.

A spokeswoman for Mr Byers said she did not know what had happened and would not make any further comment.

Northumbria Police said in a statement: "At around 9.40am on 4 July police received a report that a 47-year-old man had been assaulted outside of Emmerson Court, Shiremoor.

"Police attended the scene where a 64-year-old man was found to have sprayed soft drink over another man as he was getting out of his car.

"No injuries were sustained during the incident and the man was given a caution for common assault."