One of many bars in Parliament will shut on Monday for a safety and security assessment after a report {that a} lady had her drink spiked.
The alleged incident occurred in early January on the Strangers’ Bar, which is open to MPs and their company in addition to parliamentary employees.
“The protection of everybody on the property stays a key precedence of each Homes,” a Home of Commons spokesperson stated.
The bar, which isn’t normally open on Fridays or over the weekend, might be shuttered whereas safety and security preparations are reviewed. Police are additionally investigating.
A parliamentary researcher reported her drink had been tampered with to bar employees and safety on Tuesday 7 January, the second day of Parliament after the festive break.
The department of the GMB union that represents MPs’ employees stated the closure was “very encouraging”.
“The Home authorities have an obligation of look after the entire parliamentary group, however that is particularly vital for MPs’ employees, given the vulnerabilities we face with energy dynamics,” GMB department chairwoman Jenny Symmons stated.
“The GMB might be following this assessment and the outcomes carefully.”
A Met Police spokesperson earlier confirmed an investigation was underneath manner and the sufferer was being supported.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discovered the reported spiking “extremely regarding”, No 10 stated.
Dwelling Secretary Yvette Cooper earlier condemned spiking as “a disturbing and severe crime which may have a harmful and long-lasting affect on victims”. The federal government has additionally pledged a crackdown on violence towards girls and ladies by way of the Crime and Policing Invoice.
Parliament’s official complaints authority, the Unbiased Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) has criticised Westminster’s heavy ingesting tradition as a “frequent issue” in complaints and breaches of the code of conduct.
The watchdog discovered ingesting in Parliament’s many bars usually led to “intimidating behaviour” based mostly on 30 ICGS investigations between 2021 and 2022 introduced in October.