The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) found drinking in Parliament’s many bars often led to “intimidating behaviour”. The findings were based on 30 ICGS investigations between 2021 and 2022. The ICGS, set up in 2018 in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against MPs, said alcohol was a “frequent factor” in its investigations.
Its annual report, published on Tuesday, said regular theme in its investigations were Parliament’s many bars, where alcohol consumption is “leading to intimidating behaviour like shouting and swearing”. Alcohol was affecting the ability of witnesses to recollect incidents, it said.
There are lots of bars and restaurants in the Palace of Westminster, which is situated in central London, for the use of MPs, peers, staff and other passholders. And there are dozens of clubs, bars and restaurants in Whitehall attended by MPs and their staff.
The ICGS report also said the “blurred boundaries” between personal and professional life were at the heart of multiple complaints about inappropriate behaviour. “A lack of professional boundaries resulted in incorrect assumptions being formed about acceptable behaviours,” the report said. “Examples include invitations to events where the purpose or connection to parliamentary work may not be clear, overly frequent calls/messages and at unreasonable hours, and overly familiar behaviour.”
Given the “drinking culture” at Westminster, it’s surprising that there aren’t more cases … perhaps there are more incidents but the victims are reluctant to make themselves unemployable by speaking out against members of the parliamentary “club” … 