Croydon MP back from battling depression

12:28pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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Andrew Pelling marked his return from battling with depression as he spoke for the first time in a year at Westminster yesterday.

The Croydon Central MP had been on sick leave following his arrest after a complaint of assault from his pregnant wife Lucy last September.

After a police investigation the MP was told he would not be charged with any offence.

In January Mr Pelling announced he would be off work while receiving treatment for clinical depression.

His absence had left his constituents unrepresented for almost a year, with neighbouring Conservative Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway dealing with their enquiries.

Mr Pelling did attend the Houses of Parliament for several key votes but did not speak during them.

Having declared himself back off sick leave at the beginning of last week, Mr Pelling returned to speak for the first time at a Westminster Hall debate yesterday.

On the topic of allotment provision, Mr Pelling said: "In Croydon, only 200 people are on the waiting list, but the list is closed. In some cases, the numbers greatly underestimate the demand for allotment provision."

His Parliament office confirmed he was no longer on sick leave and would be attending constituency surgeries again in the near future.