Tory MP in apparent suicide attempt on rail line

A Conservative MP was recovering in hospital last night after an apparent suicide attempt at a busy railway station.

David Ruffley, MP for Bury St Edmunds, escaped with only minor injuries after falling under a train at London's Victoria Station during rush hour on Thursday evening.

Well-wishers from all sides of the House of Commons sent him messages of support.

Mr Ruffley, 48, was shadow minister for police reform before the election but was not given a job in the coalition government. Insiders denied reports the incident was linked to him not being given a post.

Despite a train passing over him after he fell on to the tracks, Mr Ruffley was not seriously hurt.

A British Transport Police spokeswoman said officers went to the station "after a 48-year-old man was struck by a train".

She added: "The incident was reported to police at 5pm and is being treated as non-suspicious. London Ambulance Service attended and the man was taken to St Thomas' Hospital [and] treated for minor injuries."

A Conservative Party spokeswoman said: "David Ruffley received minor injuries at a London railway station on Thursday evening." The spokeswoman refused to comment further.

The MP has represented Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk since 1997 and won a majority of 12,380 on 6 May.