MP injured in go-kart race
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The former Cabinet minister, Michael Jopling, was in intensive care in a London hospital last night after sustaining serious injuries in a charity parliamentary go-kart race.
Mr Jopling who holds a 14,920 majority in his Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in Cumbria, is a former agriculture minister. He was injured during a Lords vs Commons go-karting event which was being held at a course in Fulham, west London.
After the accident yesterday afternoon he was stretchered off on a spinal board with back pain and placed in a support collar. Mr Jopling was taken a to the intensive care unit of the nearby Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
A hospital spokesman said that the MP had fractured some ribs and bruised both his lungs and doctors said he was in a "serious but stable" condition.
He added that Mr Jopling was on a ventilator machine to assist his breathing. He was expected to undergo surgery today.
However, the spokesman said the former minister had not suffered head injuries and his condition was not thought to be life-threatening.
A Conservative Party source said last night that efforts were being made to contact Mr Jopling's wife Gail, who is believed to be abroad.
Mr Jopling's son, Nick, a farmer who stood for the Tories at the last general election in Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency, said he had only recently heard about the incident, and was not able to comment.
"But I understand everything's OK," he added.
Mr Jopling's accident is bad news for the Government, which is now without a majority. However, in an important vote he could still be transported to the House of Commons to vote by ambulance.
The former Cabinet minister was one of the Tory rebels who voted against the Government in an amendment to compensate gun dealers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments