Parliament scraps alcohol sale exemption
Alcohol will no longer be sold in Parliament after 22:00, officials have announced, amid a row over the revelation that bars and restaurants used by MPs and Lords were exempt from the coronavirus restrictions.
Earlier the
Times reported that venues in the parliamentary estate were not subject to the early closing time rule brought in this month because they were designated a "workplace canteen".
Labour's Dawn Butler
described the situation as "outrageous... one rule for MPs one rule for everyone else", while Care Minister Helen Whately said "Parliament shouldn't be sitting round late at night drinking".
Within hours of the story emerging, a Parliament spokesperson issued a statement saying: "Alcohol will not be sold after 10pm anywhere on the parliamentary estate."
In line with the government’s guidance, catering facilities will remain open later than 22:00 when the house is sitting, to serve food for MPs and staff still working.
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner reacted to the announcement, saying Parliament "must" follow the rules set for the rest of the population.