MPs calls for solutions after Travelodge gave rapist key to lady’s room – then supplied £30 apology for assault
CEO Jo Boydell has now been asked to meet MPs and peers to discuss the case, which happened in the early hours at the Maidenhead branch of the hotel chain in December 2022
MPs have demanded a meeting with the Travelodge CEO(Image: PA)
Almost 100 MPs have demanded an urgent meeting with the CEO of Travelodge after staff gave a rapist keys to a woman’s room and offered £30 as part of an “insulting” apology over the attack.
The MPs said the case of Kyran Smith, 29, who was jailed for seven-and-a-half years last month, raised “ deeply concerning ” questions.
CEO Jo Boydell has now been asked to meet MPs and peers to discuss the case, which happened in the early hours at the Maidenhead branch of the hotel chain in December 2022, after he lied to reception staff that he was her boyfriend.
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In a letter demanding a meeting, they said: “We are particularly concerned by reports that Travelodge staff provided Smith with both the victim’s room number and a key card after he falsely claimed to be her boyfriend. It appears this was done without verifying his claim or speaking to the victim herself to check whether she consented to him being given access to her room. Our understanding is that the victim had made a solo booking.
“Travelodge have since stated that this action was in line with existing security procedures. If this is the case, it raises deeply concerning questions about whether current policies provide sufficient safeguards for guests, particularly women travelling alone.”
MPs have now asked for more details around Travelodge’s security policies and procedures relating to providing a key card, the safeguarding training processes, what training there is relating to Violence Against Women and Girls and changes that Travelodge will make to ensure the safety of women.
The victim, who is now in her 30s and cannot be named, said it was the first time she stayed alone in a hotel. She claimed Smith managed to pass security checks by knowing her name.
A spokesperson for Travelodge said: “We want to apologise to the victim for the way this incident has been handled. Travelodge adopts industry standard security procedures which were followed at the time of the incident in 2022. We will carry out a full review of our room security policies to learn from this incident and further strengthen our procedures.”
