‘This is not a place to be drunk and out of control’: Minister slams Parliament’s culture after nine booze-fuelled ‘security incidents’ in one month
- Parliament authorities revealed nine booze-linked security incidents in a month
- The figures for March were given in response to Freedom of Information request
- Minister Victoria Atkins insisted people need to remember ‘this is place of work’
A minister has condemned drunkenness in Westminster after it emerged there were nine booze-fuelled security incidents in a single month.
The Parliamentary authorities revealed figures for breaches in March in response to a Freedom of Information request.
Five of the episodes involving ‘intoxicated persons’ were referred to the Serjeant-at-Arms, and some resulted in Commons passes being suspended.
However, none are thought to have directly involved MPs.
Asked about the details supplied to Times Radio, justice minister Victoria Atkins said: ‘I do, yet again, find myself saying ”this is a place of work”.
‘This is not how people should be conducting themselves in the workplace.’
She added: ‘The House of Commons is not a place where we sleep for the night, it is not a place where we turn up completely drunk and out of control.
Justice minister Victoria Atkins condemned drunkenness in Westminster after it emerged there were nine booze-fuelled security incidents in a single month
‘This is a place of work.
‘And it is a great privilege for any member of parliament (and staff) to work in the Palace of Westminster.’
There has been a clamour for cultural change at Westminster after it emerged last month that former Tory MP Neil Parish had watched pornography in the House of Commons – although there is no suggestion he had been drinking. He later resigned blaming a ‘moment of madness’.
Speaking after the allegations were first made, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said there was a wider cultural problem.
‘This is a problem, I think, about the overall culture of the House of Commons,’ he said.
‘It is late sitting, long nights with bars, and that very often leads, and it has done for decades, to behavioural challenges.’
He said the mix of long hours, high pressure and alcohol could be ‘poisonous’, adding: ‘My advice to any MP is actually avoid the bars – finish a day’s work and go home.’
A House of Commons spokesman said: ‘Parliament’s Behaviour Code makes clear that all staff should be treated respectfully at all times.
‘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 Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service is on hand to offer support to members, peers, staff of either House and the Parliamentary Digital Service, with physical, mental health or wellbeing issues.’
The Parliamentary authorities revealed figures for breaches in March in response to a Freedom of Information request by Times Radio
Source: Read Full Article
