One of Parliament's bars will remain closed on Monday to undergo a security and safety review after reports of a drink spiking incident involving a woman.
The alleged incident occurred earlier in January at the Strangers' Bar, a venue accessible to MPs, their guests, and parliamentary staff.
“The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority for both Houses,” a spokesperson for the House of Commons stated.
The bar, which typically does not operate on Fridays or weekends, will stay closed while security measures are reviewed. The Metropolitan Police are also investigating the matter.
On January 7, a parliamentary researcher alerted bar staff and security that her drink had been tampered with. This occurred on the second day after Parliament resumed following the holiday recess.
The GMB union, representing MPs’ staff, expressed support for the decision to close the bar temporarily.
“The House authorities have a duty of care to the entire parliamentary community. This responsibility is particularly critical for MPs’ staff, who often face vulnerabilities due to power dynamics,” said Jenny Symmons, chairwoman of the GMB’s parliamentary branch. “We will closely monitor the outcomes of this review.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and that the alleged victim is being supported.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the reported spiking as “incredibly concerning,” according to a No. 10 spokesperson.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the incident, calling spiking a “disturbing and serious crime” with potentially long-lasting effects on victims. The government has reiterated its commitment to tackling violence against women and girls through the Crime and Policing Bill.
Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) has previously criticised Westminster’s drinking culture, describing it as a “frequent factor” in misconduct complaints. An ICGS report released in October highlighted that heavy drinking often contributed to intimidating behaviour, citing 30 investigations conducted between 2021 and 2022. Photo by Howard Lake from Colchester, UK, Wikimedia commons.