Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk. Photo: Antony Kelly.
Norfolk MP to investigate claims after meeting boxer Frank Bruno
Mark Shields
Sunday, March 17, 2013
6:44 PM
A Norfolk MP has pledged to look into claims of police heavy-handedness after meeting Frank Bruno to discuss mental health issues.
Norman Lamb said that the way Mr Bruno said he was treated when he was sectioned last year was “completely unacceptable”, and called for more openness and honesty in discussions around mental illness.
He also praised the boxer for having the bravery to talk about his experiences of struggling with bipolar disorder.
Mr Lamb said he had been “shocked” at Mr Bruno’s description of how he was collected by police officers when he was sectioned in April last year, when three police cars and seven officers turned up outside his house.
“These things must be done in a more sensitive way,” he said. “Do you need three marked police cars to turn up in that way when you are collecting someone? He said his neighbours must have thought there had been a murder.”
He also raised concerns at footage that emerged of the officers collecting Mr Bruno.
“It begs the question: why was someone filming it? How did that happen?” said Mr Lamb, a government minister for care services.
He also said he would be looking into Mr Bruno’s reports that staff in the facility where he was being treated had mocked the former world champion.
Mr Lamb discussed mental health issues with the boxer after inviting him to his Westminster office, and said he had been left impressed by his determination to share what he had been through in the 10 years since he was first sectioned.
“The big issue with mental health is there is a stigma and people don’t feel able to talk about it,” said Mr Lamb.
“It’s good when sporting icons, or people successful in business or politics, come out and talk about their experiences because it breaks down barriers. He is doing a great job in talking about it.”
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8 comments
What sort of story is this? A light news day or what! No matter, it takes one's mind orf the depressing state of the NHS post custs and reorganisation, both supported by this MP. Oh yes, and the "bedroom tax", and Osbo's run-away borrowing, etc etc. PS get your savings out now before he starts getting ideas.
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Mr Cameron Isaliar
Monday, March 18, 2013
Emergency services for people with mental health problems are woefully inadequate in Norfolk. We need a joined-up solution involving the NHS, social services and the police.
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tigger449
Monday, March 18, 2013
I hope they properly investigate any unprofessional behaviour in the place he was taken. All too often mentally ill patients are ignored. They are some of the most vulnerable patients, at the mercy of carers and we all know how that can turn out for some.
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A business with big ambitions
Monday, March 18, 2013
Oh Mr Lamb , stop headline hogging . If you are concerned with " openess and honesty ", perhaps the houses of parliament, your work place, might be a good place to start. As for poor old Frank .A man of great strength who made his living hitting people as hard as he could. Just what would you suggest as a " sensitive " way to deal with such a situation. A politician such as yourself handling the situation? Alone?
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norman hall
Monday, March 18, 2013
Surely Mr Lamb has more important issues to deal with, like our pathetic ambulance service and the local hospitals that are on black alert and cancelling operations. This looks like a bit of publicity opportunism by Mr Lamb, just because Mr Bruno is or was a celeb. I say let Mr Bruno own MP deal with this issue then Mr Lamb can get on with the serious stuff that is affecting people today and not something that happened years ago.
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John L Norton
Sunday, March 17, 2013
If Bruno is ever sectioned again let Norm attend to it on his own.
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Joe Mullets Uncle
Sunday, March 17, 2013
I would think that 7 police officers were needed to be available to detain an ex-heavyweight boxer who was about to be sectioned .
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dragonfly
Sunday, March 17, 2013
The laughable thing is this bloke is championing mental health but he has admitted under his government they are cutting mental health funding!
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omnishambles
Sunday, March 17, 2013