He did want to go but he has the MPI. In excusing his transgressions the shadow minister explained that he bought leave passes that allowed him to have a drink. When asked how many leave passes he had bought for the month of Ocsober, he answered, ‘Four.’ Four leave passes! The paper quotes him explaining today:

“If I had not been able to purchase leave passes, I probably would not have participated.

“It was a crucial part of the deal.”

So the deal was, ‘I’ll pretend I’m sober but I’ll get drunk on four occasions, or at least have a few drinks.’