Strangers' Bar in Parliament closed after report of drink spiking


A decision has been made to close one of the bars in Parliament for a security and safety review following reports that a woman had her drink spiked. The alleged incident occurred at the Strangers’ Bar in early January and the bar will be closed while security arrangements are reviewed. A parliamentary researcher reported her drink had been tampered with and police are investigating.

Expressing its concern about the alleged incident, a spokesperson for the House of Commons said that the safety of everyone on the estate remained a key priority. While the bar is normally not open on Fridays or over the weekend, it will remain closed until the review is completed.

The branch of the GMB union that represents MPs’ staff welcomed the decision to close the bar for review. Speaking on behalf of the union, GMB branch chairwoman Jenny Symmons stated that the House authorities have a duty of care for the entire parliamentary community, especially MPs’ staff who are vulnerable due to the power dynamics involved. Symmons promised that the GMB would be closely following the review and its outcomes.

The incident has raised concerns among politicians, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who called it “incredibly concerning”. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also spoke out against drink-spiking, describing the crime as “disturbing and serious” with long-lasting impacts on victims. The government has pledged to tackle violence against women and girls by passing the Crime and Policing Bill.

Westminster’s heavy drinking culture has been criticized by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), Parliament’s official complaints authority. The ICGS found that drinking in the many bars of Westminster often led to “intimidating behaviour” and, based on 30 investigations, described it as a “frequent factor” in complaints and breaches of the code of conduct

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