Latest news with #Strangers'Bar
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
MP calls for cultural change as Commons bar set to reopen after alleged spiking
Westminster needs to 'radically reshape' its culture if it is to tackle sexual misconduct, an MP has warned as Parliament's Strangers' Bar prepares to reopen following an allegation of spiking. The bar – a popular haunt for MPs, journalists and parliamentary staff – has been closed since January 20 after a woman, reported to be a parliamentary researcher, told staff her drink had been tampered with. Following a review of safety at the bar, it is set to reopen on February 24 after MPs agreed to a series of new measures to deter further incidents, including installing CCTV and providing extra training for staff. Labour MP Charlotte Nichols, who has been outspoken on the need improve behaviour in Westminster, told the PA news agency she welcomed the changes as a 'positive step', but said Parliament needed to go further. She told PA: 'Ultimately it's tinkering around the edges of the actual issue, unless we radically reshape how we deal with the culture in Parliament.' Ms Nichols added that this included, 'as a minimum first step', implementing the recommendations of the Kernaghan Review of Parliament's Independent Complaints and Grievance Service (ICGS), and parties 'taking much more seriously their responsibilities when it comes to dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct and vetting'. Published in May last year, the review by former Hampshire chief constable Paul Kernaghan made 26 recommendations including mandatory training on Parliament's code of conduct for all MPs and requiring political parties to refer relevant complaints to the ICGS. Ms Nichols' comments were echoed by Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union – which represents some parliamentary staff, who said the changes 'go some way to addressing concerns' but also called for cultural change. He said: '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. 'It is telling however that these changes are necessary, and indicative that the overall culture at Westminster still has to change.' Jawad Raza, national officer for Parliament at the FDA union, also welcomed the installation of CCTV, but called for this to be replicated across the parliamentary estate's other bars. The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority for both Houses House of Commons spokesperson As well as installing CCTV, the bar will make covers for glasses available on request, increase the presence of security staff in the vicinity and provide enhanced training to bar staff. Information on 'drink safety' and links to schemes including 'Ask for Angela' will also be displayed in the bar. A spokesperson for the House of Commons said: 'The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority for both Houses. 'Following a review of arrangements in Strangers' Bar, the House of Commons Commission has endorsed a number of changes that aim to enhance existing safety measures and ensure the well-being of all customers who visit the bar.' The Metropolitan Police is continuing to investigate the alleged spiking, which is said to have occurred on the evening of January 7. A spokesperson for the force said no arrests had been made so far.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
MPs' bar to reopen with enhanced security after spiking allegation
Parliament's Strangers' Bar will reopen later in February with enhanced security measures including CCTV following an allegation of drink spiking. The bar, a regular haunt for MPs and parliamentary staff, has been closed since January 20 after the spiking allegation came to light. A woman, reported to be a parliamentary researcher, is said to have told staff her drink had been tampered with on the evening of January 7. Following a review of safety, the bar is set to reopen on February 24 after MPs agreed to a series of new measures to deter further incidents. The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority for both Houses House of Commons spokesman A spokesman for the House of Commons said: 'The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority for both Houses. 'Following a review of arrangements in Strangers' Bar, the House of Commons Commission has endorsed a number of changes that aim to enhance existing safety measures and ensure the wellbeing of all customers who visit the bar.' As well as installing CCTV, the bar will make covers for glasses available on request, increase the presence of security staff in the vicinity, and provide enhanced training to bar staff. Information on 'drink safety' and links to schemes including 'Ask for Angela' will also be displayed in the bar. It is telling ... that these changes are necessary, and indicative that the overall culture at Westminster still has to change Mike Clancy, Prospect union Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union which represents some parliamentary staff, said the changes 'go some way to addressing concerns'. He said: '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. 'It is telling, however, that these changes are necessary, and indicative that the overall culture at Westminster still has to change.' The Metropolitan Police are continuing to investigate the alleged spiking, and a spokesman for the force said no arrests had been made so far.
Sky News
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
CCTV to be installed in Parliament bar as it reopens after drink-spiking allegation
Parliament's famous Strangers' Bar, closed in January after a drink-spiking allegation, is to reopen with CCTV cameras as part of a major security crackdown. Rules on guests allowed in the bar are to be "rigorously" enforced, and, in a bid to prevent drinks being tampered with, covers on glasses will be available for drinkers who want them. The House of Commons authorities announced the crackdown as they confirmed an exclusive Sky News report that the bar will re-open on 24 February, after the half-term recess. The decision to re-open Strangers was taken at a secret meeting of the House of Commons Commission, chaired by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, on Monday. A House of Commons spokesperson told Sky News: "The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority of both Houses. "Following a review of arrangements in Strangers' Bar, the House of Commons Commission has endorsed a number of changes that aim to enhance existing safety measures and ensure the well-being of all customers who visit the bar." Used for decades by MPs and their guests, peers, parliamentary staff and political journalists, Strangers' Bar was closed on Monday 20 January. The closure was announced after a parliamentary researcher complained her drink had been spiked. The woman told bar staff and security personnel the drink had been tampered with. The alleged incident, said to have taken place at about 6.30pm on Tuesday 7 January, in the first week after parliament returned from recess, prompted a police inquiry. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that an investigation was launched and the victim was being supported. No arrests have been made, however. The decision to close the bar was taken by Sir Lindsay, in consultation with the clerk of the House, Tom Goldsmith, and the director of parliamentary security, Alison Giles. The new security and safety measures, which will come into force when the bar re-opens five weeks after its closure, are: • Closed circuit TV (CCTV) in the bar, which the commission says will be accessed only in the event of an incident; • Covers for glassware available to customers on request; • An increased presence of security and access staff in and near the bar, to help manage access and ensure it does not become overcrowded, with signs on access rules; • More training for staff on vulnerable customers and spiking awareness; • Clear information displayed in the bar and elsewhere on drink safety and the measures in place. The commission has said there will be no changes to existing access rules, but they will be "enforced rigorously with identities checked". The existing access arrangements are: • Monday-Thursday: MPs, with up to three guests; • Journalists accredited to the parliamentary press gallery, but no guests; • On Thursday, in addition: Commons digital staff pass-holders and MPs' staff, no guests; • Ex-MPs who have served at least 10 years, no guests; • Peers who are former MPs, no guests; • Lay members of select committees, no guests. Under the rules, only MPs can bring in guests - up to three at any time - but guests may not buy drinks or stay unaccompanied for more than 15 minutes, the length of time it takes for MPs to vote in a division. And in a warning that the rules may be made even stricter if necessary, the commission says it has decided to keep these arrangements, including access rules, under review. It has also pointed to parliament's behaviour code, which makes clear that all those who work on or visit the parliamentary estate should always be treated respectfully. Those who choose to drink in parliament must do so responsibly, and the authorities reserve the right to refuse to serve alcohol if they believe a person is, or is likely to become, drunk. There are also rules regarding the responsible consumption of alcohol. The commission says it has previously agreed moves to promote responsible alcohol consumption. These include increasing the range of non-alcoholic drinks and lower strength beers available, expanding and encouraging alcohol-free areas, and not running promotional advertisements for alcohol. The House of Commons Commission is parliament's most senior rule-making committee. It is made up of seven MPs, including the Speaker, and four lay members. The other MPs are Commons Leader Lucy Powell, the Tories' shadow leader Jesse Norman, Labour MPs Rachel Blake and Nick Smith, former Tory cabinet minister Steve Barclay and Lib Dem MP Maria Goldman.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MP calls for cultural change as Commons bar set to reopen after alleged spiking
Westminster needs to 'radically reshape' its culture if it is to tackle sexual misconduct, an MP has warned as Parliament's Strangers' Bar prepares to reopen following an allegation of spiking. The bar – a popular haunt for MPs, journalists and parliamentary staff – has been closed since January 20 after a woman, reported to be a parliamentary researcher, told staff her drink had been tampered with. Following a review of safety at the bar, it is set to reopen on February 24 after MPs agreed to a series of new measures to deter further incidents, including installing CCTV and providing extra training for staff. Labour MP Charlotte Nichols, who has been outspoken on the need improve behaviour in Westminster, told the PA news agency she welcomed the changes as a 'positive step', but said Parliament needed to go further. She told PA: 'Ultimately it's tinkering around the edges of the actual issue, unless we radically reshape how we deal with the culture in Parliament.' Ms Nichols added that this included, 'as a minimum first step', implementing the recommendations of the Kernaghan Review of Parliament's Independent Complaints and Grievance Service (ICGS), and parties 'taking much more seriously their responsibilities when it comes to dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct and vetting'. Published in May last year, the review by former Hampshire chief constable Paul Kernaghan made 26 recommendations including mandatory training on Parliament's code of conduct for all MPs and requiring political parties to refer relevant complaints to the ICGS. Ms Nichols' comments were echoed by Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union – which represents some parliamentary staff, who said the changes 'go some way to addressing concerns' but also called for cultural change. He said: '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. 'It is telling however that these changes are necessary, and indicative that the overall culture at Westminster still has to change.' As well as installing CCTV, the bar will make covers for glasses available on request, increase the presence of security staff in the vicinity and provide enhanced training to bar staff. Information on 'drink safety' and links to schemes including 'Ask for Angela' will also be displayed in the bar. A spokesperson for the House of Commons said: 'The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority for both Houses. 'Following a review of arrangements in Strangers' Bar, the House of Commons Commission has endorsed a number of changes that aim to enhance existing safety measures and ensure the well-being of all customers who visit the bar.' The Metropolitan Police is continuing to investigate the alleged spiking, which is said to have occurred on the evening of January 7. A spokesperson for the force said no arrests had been made so far.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Campaigners call for public to be barred from parliamentary bar following ‘spiking' incident
Campaigners have called for the public to be banned from a parliamentary bar after a woman's drink was allegedly spiked there. Strangers' Bar, a popular drinking spot for MPs in the Palace of Westminster, is currently closed for a security review following the alleged incident. They are also campaigning for tougher measures to be brought into bars across the parliamentary estate. Under current rules, only those holding certain types of parliamentary passes can bring guests into the bar. MPs have the most flexibility with who they can invite. Ryan-Mark Parsons, a parliamentary staffer to Greg Smith MP, is spearheading the campaign in Parliament after he was spiked while on a night out with friends in Soho last year. Mr Parsons said that prohibiting guests from visiting Strangers' Bar for a period of time could help prevent future cases of spiking. He said that 'only having passholders in Strangers' would be a good idea. 'I don't think it should be open to guests, as anyone could come to the estate,' he said. 'I think it would be in the interest of people working in Parliament, and make them feel safe. 'It should, in my opinion, be closed to guests until better security is in place at the bar.' Another staffer added: 'In my view the unregulated in and outflow of guests on the terrace does unfortunately test the bar staff and security, and places an increasing pressure on estate staff to provide a safe environment for those working on the grounds.' Campaigners also say that every bar in Parliament should provide drinks caps to prevent unwanted drugs being put into their drinks, along with free testing strips which would enable people to see whether their drink has been tampered with. They also advised putting up posters around the parliamentary estate warning of the dangers of drink spiking. Mr Parsons also suggested that monitoring the number of people allowed into Strangers' Bar might be a good way to prevent similar incidents in future. He said: 'On staffer nights on a Thursday, Strangers is rammed. They could monitor it at any one time.' Training for staff should also be mandatory, he said, explaining: 'training on how to spot signs of spiking should be mandatory for all House of Commons staff.' Jo Tanner, who was spiked in Strangers' Bar in 2017, said that she would be in favour of 'any measures' taken to prevent spiking in future. She said: 'I think any sort of mitigation or protection for anybody is helpful. Testing sticks could be readily available. 'Ultimately there needs to be better education and a reminder to everyone that a drink is vulnerable. People need to recognise that because you've gone through airport security, it doesn't mean that Parliament is safe. Passholders don't go through those systems.' She added that spiking on the parliamentary estate 'clearly isn't a new problem'. It is understood that an update will be provided when the review is concluded. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
