Strangers’ bar in parliament to close after alleged spiking incident

London: So, the Strangers’ bar in Parliament is shutting down next week. This comes after a report of a drink being spiked. They’re taking a good look at security now.

A spokesperson from the House of Commons said the bar, which is a popular spot for MPs, will be closed starting Monday. They want to make sure everyone feels safe on the estate.

The Metropolitan Police are on the case after a parliamentary researcher said her drink was tampered with. She quickly told the bar staff and security about it.

This incident happened around 6:30 PM on January 7, right after Parliament got back from a break. It’s likely to stir up discussions about alcohol sales in Parliament.

There’s a committee looking into how to improve things in Parliament, and they’ve been getting a lot of suggestions. Some Labour MPs even want to limit alcohol sales.

The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme pointed out that the drinking culture in Westminster often leads to bad behavior. Their report mentioned that the bars are a common factor in these issues.

Strangers’ is the most well-known bar in Parliament, often packed with MPs. There’s also the Woolsack bar, which has had its share of trouble in the past.

The government is serious about tackling spiking incidents as part of a broader effort to fight violence against women and girls. They’re even training bar staff to recognize and prevent it.

Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, called spiking a “disturbing and serious crime” that can really hurt victims. They’re planning to train around 10,000 bar staff in England and Wales to help with this issue.

The FDA union expressed concern over the incident at Strangers’ and urged Parliament to take immediate action to prevent it from happening again.

Mike Clancy from the Prospect union also shared his worries, emphasizing the need for a safe environment for parliamentary staff.