Parliament’s pub is being closed over safety fears after a woman’s drink was allegedly spiked.
Strangers’ Bar, in the House of Commons, will be shut from Monday, a House of Commons spokesman confirmed.
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and the Director of Parliamentary Security ordered the closure while a security review is completed.
A House of Commons spokesman on Friday said: “Strangers’ Bar will close from Monday, January 20 while security and safety arrangements are reviewed.
“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 case.
A Met Police spokesman confirmed an investigation had been launched and the victim was being supported.
No arrests have been made.
General secretary of Prospect trade union Mike Clancy said he was seeking further information about the alleged incident and would work to "ensure Parliamentary staff can feel safe in their workplace".
He added: "This is a very concerning alleged incident, especially given the long history of allegations about behaviour in Parliament."
In December, a group of backbench Labour MPs submitted plans to reduce the sale of alcohol in the Commons during office hours to a committee looking at how to modernise Parliament.
The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), which is Parliament's official complaints authority, has criticised Westminster's heavy drinking culture as a "frequent factor" in complaints and breaches of its code of conduct.
