Parliament bar reopens after spiking report
The Strangers’ Bar in the Houses of Parliament will reopen a month after it was closed due to a reported incident of drink spiking. The post Parliament bar reopens after spiking report appeared first on The Drinks Business.
The Strangers’ Bar in the Houses of Parliament will reopen a month after it was closed due to a reported incident of drink spiking.
On 7 January of this year, a parliamentary researcher reported to staff that her drink had been tampered with in the Strangers' Bar, which prompted an investigation from the Metropolitan Police.
The bar was closed from 20 January after the alleged incident, though no arrests have been made in connection to it.
The House of Commons Commission has since reviewed security arrangements at the Strangers' Bar in a bid to protect its patrons.
It is due to reopen later this month on 24 February, but with CCTV cameras installed, as well as various other additional measures, such as training bar staff on how to handle reports of spiking, making covers for drinks glasses available on request and an increased security presence in the bar.
Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, the trade union which represents workers in Parliament, said that these changes would go "some way to addressing concerns".
"In particular the introduction of CCTV is something Prospect has called for as an important security measure, and one which is present in virtually every other licensed premises in the country," said Clancy. "It is telling, however, that these changes are necessary, and indicative that the overall culture at Westminster still has to change."
Before the Labour Party came to power last July, there were rumours that Sue Gray, who was then chief of staff for Sir Keir Starmer's opposition, was planning on shutting all three of the bars in the House of Commons due to excessive alcohol consumption among some Members of Parliament. Gray, however, resigned from the role in October after a media storm over the size of her salary.
On 7 January of this year, a parliamentary researcher reported to staff that her drink had been tampered with in the Strangers' Bar, which prompted an investigation from the Metropolitan Police.
The bar was closed from 20 January after the alleged incident, though no arrests have been made in connection to it.
The House of Commons Commission has since reviewed security arrangements at the Strangers' Bar in a bid to protect its patrons.
It is due to reopen later this month on 24 February, but with CCTV cameras installed, as well as various other additional measures, such as training bar staff on how to handle reports of spiking, making covers for drinks glasses available on request and an increased security presence in the bar.
Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, the trade union which represents workers in Parliament, said that these changes would go "some way to addressing concerns".
"In particular the introduction of CCTV is something Prospect has called for as an important security measure, and one which is present in virtually every other licensed premises in the country," said Clancy. "It is telling, however, that these changes are necessary, and indicative that the overall culture at Westminster still has to change."
Before the Labour Party came to power last July, there were rumours that Sue Gray, who was then chief of staff for Sir Keir Starmer's opposition, was planning on shutting all three of the bars in the House of Commons due to excessive alcohol consumption among some Members of Parliament. Gray, however, resigned from the role in October after a media storm over the size of her salary. 
