In pictures: Ed Balls involved in bloodbath at MP charity game
This week, the political excitement has migrated south from Scotland to Manchester, where Labour has started its annual party conference. What better way to kick things off (literally) than with the now infamous MPs versus lobby hacks footie match? And it was a goodie. MPs including Ed Balls, Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham donned their shorts, did some stretches and hit the pitch. It was all very friendly(
And it was a goodie. MPs including Ed Balls, Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham donned their shorts, did some stretches and hit the pitch. It was all very friendly(ish) until Balls and Northern Echo journo Paul Merrick had a run-in, leaving Merrick with a bloody eye and a seat on the bench (until a further journo injury forced him back on the pitch).
Balls limbers up (Source: Getty)
Despite sustaining injuries, the journos were victorious over the MPs, with a 3-1 win. Having had their fun, the Labour MPs returned to the serious matter of the conference, which continues until Wednesday.
If you want to keep up with ongoings from Manchester, follow the hashtag #LAB14. Which as many on Twitter have pointed out, is in no way funny. Not at all.
Merrick is escorted off the pitch by a paramedic (Source: Getty)
- Foreign secretary Philip Hammond enjoyed a glitzy night on Friday at the Asian Achievers Awards in the Grosvenor House Hotel where he was guest speaker. Following boohoo.com’s successful flotation back in March and strong first-half results earlier this month co-founder Mahmud Kamani won Business Person of the Year and security magnate Dr Richie Nanda took Entrepreneur of the Year. Well done chaps.