A woman has allegedly been “spiked” in one of Parliament’s bars – as police launch an investigation.
A female parliamentary researcher reported having her drink tampered with in Stranger’s bar, which is frequented by MPs, journalists and staffers. She is said to have alerted bar staff and parliament’s security, according to Politico website, which first reported the story.
The supposed incident took place last Tuesday – the first week back following the Christmas recess. The Met police said there have been “no arrests at this stage” but that the investigation is “ongoing”. Parliamentary officials have emphasised that they are taking the report extremely seriously.
Concerns have long been raised about the culture of drinking – and women’s safety – in Parliament. In October ex-Tory MP Aaron Bell was reprimanded for “brazen and drunken” sexual misconduct. Parliament’s watchdog found he “abused his position of power” by touching a young woman “inappropriately and without her consent” in Stranger’s bar. And in May it emerged that Boris Johnson’s pal and Tory peer Lord Kulveer Ranger had bullied and harassed two people while drunk in the same bar.
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In November the government launched coordinated action across the police, transport network and venues to stamp out spiking. This includes training thousands of staff working in the nighttime economy on how to spot and tackle spiking. They also vowed to make spiking a specific offence – a pledge previously made by the Tories but derailed by the general election.
Questions were raised about the Tories’ commitment to deal with spiking after the Sunday Mirror revealed James Cleverly made a joke about the vile crime when he was then Home Secretary. In 2023 he joked about giving his wife a date-rape drug, just hours after announcing a crackdown on the growing epidemic of drinks spiking.
A UK Parliament spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident which took place on the parliamentary estate in early January, which was reported to parliamentary security and is now being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service.”
A Met spokeswoman: “Police received reports of an alleged spiking at an establishment in the House of Commons, on Tuesday, 7 January at around 18:30hrs. The investigation is ongoing and the victim is being supported by officers.
“There have been no arrests at this stage. We would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim or witness to spiking, in any form, to contact us on 101, or 999 in emergency. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”