MP HUGO Swire had a lucky escape after being knocked off his scooter in London.

MP HUGO Swire had a lucky escape after being knocked off his scooter in London.

The 49-year-old Tory, who was travelling to a Commons committee meeting, suffered a black eye, injured shoulder and hip.

A motorcyclist cut in front of him as he was motoring down the Embankment on his Vespa.

He said: "I slammed on my brakes, then skidded along the Embankment - if a car had been directly behind me I would not have been here to tell the tale."

The East Devon MP, who has a house in Sidbury, was taken to St Thomas' Hospital and discharged later in the day.

He added: "I'm bruised and battered, but have no serious injuries - though I have a ringing noise in my ears, and my arm was in a sling for a day or two.