Staffers have just been emailed by parliamentary authorities with regard to the temporarily-closed Strangers’ Bar. It’s opening up…
This comes after spiking allegations. New security measures are coming into effect:
No new access restrictions apart from more ID checking. Authorities say the CCTV “will be managed as a standalone system.“ “Accessed only in the event of an incident”…
The bar will open on 24 February after half-term recess. One for the diary for the thirsty among you…
Read the full notice below:
“On Friday 17 January, Mr Speaker, in consultation with the Clerk of the House and the Director of Parliamentary Security, announced that Strangers’ Bar would close pending a review of security and safety arrangements, following a serious allegation of spiking being investigated by the Metropolitan Police (MPS).
At its meeting on Monday 10 February, the House of Commons Commission considered the interim findings of a review carried out by the Parliamentary Security Department, in consultation with the Metropolitan Police Service’s specialist licensing team, and received an update on the measures which have been taken since the incident was reported.
Following careful consideration of the recommendations, the Commission agreed that Strangers’ Bar would reopen following the February recess subject to a number of enhanced measures to manage security, safety and access being put in place. These include:
the provision of enhanced staff training and qualifications, including MPS Vulnerability Engagement Training and Home Office Spiking Awareness Training
covers for glassware to be available to customers on request,clear information to be displayed in the bar and public facilities on drink safety and the measures in place in the venue, including through links to schemes such as Active Bystander and Ask for Angela,
increased presence of security and access operatives in the vicinity, to help manage access and ensure appropriate capacity is maintained, accompanied by clear signage on access arrangements,
installation of Close Circuit TV (CCTV) in Strangers’ Bar. This will be managed as a standalone system, accessed only in the event of an incident.
There are no changes to existing access arrangements, however, the existing rules will be enforced rigorously with identities checked. These are:
Monday-Thursday
Members of Parliament (with up to 3 guests)
Members of the press gallery (no guests)Thursday
Full Commons and PDS passholders, including MPs’ staff (no guests)
Former Members who have served a minimum of 10 years as an MP (no guests)
Peers who are former Members (no guests)
Members of the press gallery (no guests)
Lay members of Select Committees (no guests)Who can bring guests?
MPs can bring up to 3 guests at any time. Guests may not buy drinks or stay unaccompanied for more than 15 minutes.The Commission will keep these arrangements, including access rules, under review.
Parliament’s Behaviour Code 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 our venues reserve the right to refuse to serve anyone alcohol if they believe that the person is, or likely to become, intoxicated.
The House of Commons Commission has previously agreed a number of actions to promote responsible alcohol consumption, including 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.”
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”