Train fall MP David Ruffley says MPs need more support

A Conservative MP who fell in front of a train while suffering from depression has called for more formal support for MPs who feel under severe pressure.

Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley, 48, received minor injuries in the incident at Victoria Station in London in June.

He told the House that he was very grateful to the government's Whips Office and to neighbouring Suffolk MPs Matthew Hancock and Daniel Poulter.

Mr Ruffley said politics had "unique demands" and MPs needed better support.

"All of us in this place come into politics because we want to serve, and that job, that calling that we have, brings with it its own unique demands," Mr Ruffley told the House.

"Now I'm not for one single second suggesting that we are a special case in that sense.

"But I would suggest that most other jobs have very highly developed human resources departments, personnel departments, who are there and who individuals can go to.

"In this House, it's my suggestion that we don't have such a similar support network

West Suffolk MP Mr Hancock and Mr Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk, helped Mr Ruffley by holding surgeries on his behalf in Bury St Edmunds.

Chief whip Patrick McLoughlin looked after his office at the House of Commons.

British Transport Police said at the time that the incident at Victoria Station on 17 June was not being treated as suspicious.