Strangers’ Bar to re-open in Parliament after drink-spiking allegation
Parliament’s most famous bar, Strangers, is to re-open after being closed last month following a drink-spiking allegation.
The bar, used by MPs and their guests, peers, parliamentary staff and political journalists, was closed on Monday 20 January.
Sky News understands it is now likely to re-open after Parliament’s half-term recess, on Monday 24 February, meaning it will have been shut for five weeks.
The decision to re-open was taken at a secret meeting of the House of Commons Commission, chaired by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
“The commission will be providing an update shortly,” a source told Sky News. That update could come as early as later this week.
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The bar was closed 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.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed an investigation had been 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.
Announcing the closure on Friday 17 January , a House of Commons spokesperson said: “Strangers’ Bar will close from Monday 20 January while security and safety arrangements are reviewed.
“The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority of both Houses.”
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It has been reported that one result of the review will be CCTV cameras being installed in the bar. Another possible outcome is changes to who is eligible to use the bar.
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.
