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.
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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.
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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.
