UK: Police Call for Lawmakers to Come Forward After Parliament Bar Incident
The Facts
The Metropolitan Police have called on Members of Parliament and other potential witnesses to come forward with information concerning an alleged spiking incident in Strangers' Bar, situated within the Houses of Parliament.
A parliamentary researcher reported her drink was tampered with at Strangers' Bar in Westminster on Jan. 7, 2025, leading to the bar's indefinite closure while security and safety arrangements are reviewed.
The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) has previously identified Westminster's drinking culture as a frequent factor in conduct-breaching incidents, particularly leading to intimidating behavior in parliamentary bars.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Strangers' Bar should be reopened but with proper safety measures in place to address concerns such as drink spiking. Parliament is a unique space, with some areas serving as workplaces and others not. Security across the estate is crucial, given the threats Members of Parliament face. Shutting down the bar may push lawmakers and staff to venues off the estate, where security is weaker, increasing their vulnerability. Maintaining controlled, secure spaces within Parliament is vital for safety.
Establishment-critical narrative
Closing Strangers' Bar is long overdue. Most workplaces don't serve alcohol throughout the day, and it's not normal for colleagues to regularly drink with their bosses. The bar fosters a culture of drinking that contributes to inappropriate behavior, including missed votes and misconduct. Removing alcohol from the estate would promote a healthier work environment and reduce the power imbalances sustained by this drinking culture.
