House of Commons Strangers’ Bar will close from Monday after spiking incident

Parliament’s Strangers’ Bar will close from Monday while security and safety arrangements are reviewed after an alleged spiking incident, a House of Commons spokesperson has said.

“Strangers’ Bar will close from Monday January 20 while security and safety arrangements are reviewed,” the spokesperson said.

They added: “The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority of both Houses.”

Police are investigating the alleged spiking after receiving reports of an incident in the Palace of Westminster at around 6.30pm on January 7.

The woman, a parliamentary researcher, alerted security and staff in the Strangers’ Bar to her drink having been tampered with, according to Politico, which first reported the incident.