Date rape drug ‘was used on Tory aide’s drink in bar’

A date rape drug is said to have been used on a Tory aide’s drink in a Commons bar and another woman claims an MP grabbed her by the crotch as the Westminster sex row escalated again today.

The former Conservative aide has claimed that the drugging took place at the Strangers’ Bar on the parliamentary estate, which is reserved for MPs and their guests.

She told the Evening Standard she reported the episode at the venue to the police and an officer said it was not the first time it had happened.

The newspaper also reported an allegation that a woman who worked for a Tory MP had been approached by him from behind in her office. 

He is said to have grabbed her crotch, but the House authorities apparently told her there was ‘nothing they could do’.

A Westminster staffer last night claimed she was sexually assaulted by an MP – but that Parliament failed to act after she reported it

STRANGERS BAR 

Strangers Bar is one of the most popular drinking dens in the Palace of Westminster. 

Nestled in the heart of Parliament’s labyrinthine corridors and with enviable views of the River Thames, it is a favourite among MPs keen to impress their guests.

When Parliament sits late it is packed with MPs who make the most of the subsidised bar by having a drink as they wait to vote.

They swap gossip and political stories with each other and the flock of lobby reporters who head their hunting for stories.

And while evenings in the bar usually pass off in an environment of friendly socialising, the booze-fuelled evenings have been known to erupt into violence.

In February 2012, then Labour MP Eric Joyce headbutted a Tory politician and punched another one after drinking a bottle of win in the bar.  

Under special parliamentary rules, the bar can stay open long after normal closing times – as long as the House of Commons is still sitting.

So while some MPs stay in the Chamber making speeches late into the evening, others opt to enjoy a drink and sometimes to get gently sloshed as they enjoy an evening on its famous terrace. 

Westminster has been rocked by a slew of allegations, which appear to have been prompted by the Harvey Weinstein scandal in the US.

Another staffer last night claimed she was sexually assaulted by an MP – but that Parliament failed to act after she reported it.

The alleged victim, who spoke anonymously and did not identify which party the MP was from, said the man forced himself on her in a hotel room last year.

But when she and a senior colleague reported it to several authorities, she claimed they refused to act, adding that officials ‘at best turned a blind eye and at worst actively covered it up’.

A Tory backbencher today demanded drastic action to reduce the potential for abuses on the estate – saying staff should be kicked out at 6pm and all the bars should be closed.

Nadine Dorries said there was a ‘cultural problem’ in Westminster with politicians ‘who work late sharing restaurants/bars with young researchers who don’t’.

She insisted it was time for the exclusive venues to be shut down, adding: ‘Westminster is a workplace.’ 

There are around a dozen bars on the parliamentary estate. Drinks are considerably cheaper than in nearby pubs as the taxpayer subsidises the overheads.

Late votes in the House means they are often frequented by large numbers of MPs and staff members.

Backbencher Nadine Dorries (pictured in the Commons) said there was a 'cultural problem' in Westminster with politicians 'who work late sharing restaurants/bars with young researchers who don't'

Backbencher Nadine Dorries (pictured in the Commons) said there was a ‘cultural problem’ in Westminster with politicians ‘who work late sharing restaurants/bars with young researchers who don’t’

Ms Dorries tweeted that there was no reason MPs' staff should stay on the estate past 6pm

Ms Dorries tweeted that there was no reason MPs’ staff should stay on the estate past 6pm

Ms Dorries said today: ‘There is a cultural problem in Westminster. It’s complex. MPs who work late sharing restaurants /bars with young researchers who don’t. 

‘Time for MPs staff to leave the premises at 6pm and for places like the sports and social club to be closed down. Westminster is a workplace 

‘Staff remain on Westminster premises drinking whilst MPs voting. Why? Plenty of pubs around London. No other workplace provides bars.’ 

The Mid Bedforshire MP added on Twitter: ‘Absolutely no reason whatsoever why any MPs staff should work past 6pm.’  

The latest claims come after Bex Bailey waived her right to anonymity to claim she was sexually assaulted by a Labour official when she was just 19

The latest claims come after Bex Bailey waived her right to anonymity to claim she was sexually assaulted by a Labour official when she was just 19

A prominent Labour activist has also claimed she was raped by a senior official at a party event in 2011 but was told not to report it because it would hurt her career.

Bex Bailey has bravely waived her right to anonymity to reveal she was sexually assaulted by the official when she was just 19. 

Ms Bailey, a former member of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee, said she plucked up the courage to tell told party officials about it two years later.

But she said telling party bosses was a ‘horrible experience’ and she was ‘not even given a cup of tea’ by officials who failed to support her. 

The revelation means Labour is now fighting it own sex allegation cloud after the Tories have been rocked by allegations over the past few days.

A dossier naming more than 40 Tory MPs, apparently compiled by staffers, has been circulating with allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

First Secretary of State Damian Green is facing a probe by the Cabinet Secretary over allegations he made a pass at a much younger Tory activist. He vehemently denies the claims. 

Separately, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has apologised for touching the knee of a female journalist during a dinner more than a decade ago.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk