LABOUR were last night damning about their errant Falkirk MP Eric Joyce, but quick to play down any prospect of him being forced to stand down.

Senior sources talked openly about Eric Joyce's personal problems, but stressed their hands were tied in terms of him leaving Westminster.

That would involve a bruising and almost certainly losing by-election, the last thing Labour needs at a time when the party is desperate to deny the SNP continuing momentum.

Former Labour MP Dennis Canavan, who has long held his successor in the seat in low regard, said: "I am saddened to hear about this latest incident but I am not surprised, given his track record," said the politician whose resignation opened the door to Mr Joyce.

"I don't think he is a fit and proper person to represent Scottish people and the electors of Falkirk deserve better than this."

If Mr Joyce is either cleared of wrongdoing or sentenced to less than a year in prison, nothing can force him from electoral office and that is the key for Labour.

Most observers believe that unless Mr Joyce meets the high bar for expulsion from office, he will cling on, no matter the personal or political embarrassment.

Neighbouring constituency MP Michael Connarty blamed the lack of help from the Westminster authorities for his colleague's downfall.

He said: "If any other employer had seen difficult behaviour, anti-social behaviour, improper behaviour from an employee, they have a duty of care to deal with that and if they don't and that person ends up in a situation of discipline, they have to prove they have taken steps to help.

"None of those rules apply. It's just this whole problem that I've seen again and again of people beginning to flap and sink, not waving but drowning, and nobody helps."

Mr Joyce was charged with assault after a fracas at a House of Commons bar on Wednesday.