House of Commons worker is ‘arrested after man is glassed’

A House of Commons worker has been arrested for reportedly glassing another staffer in the face a man during a brawl outside a Parliamentary bar last night.

The fight between two parliamentary staffers erupted outside the Sports and Social Bar in the heart of the Westminster estate at 6.30pm last night. 

A 57 year year-old was arrested by police for GBH and affray and taken to a station for questioning.

While a 64 year-old man was rushed to hospital after he was allegedly glassed in the face during the fight.

The bar has been temporarily closed while an investigation into the brawl is carried out. 

The fight between two parliamentary staffers erupted at 6.30pm last night outside the Sports and Social Bar in the heart of the Westminster estate

A  House of Lords spokesman said: ‘Following an incident on the Parliamentary Estate last night involving two parliamentary staff, after leaving the Sports & Social Club Bar, an investigation is under way and the Bar will be temporarily closed until that investigation is complete.’

Scotland Yard said: ‘Police were called at 18:30hrs on Tuesday, 5 December, to a courtyard within the House of Commons to reports of an altercation between two men. 

‘Police attended. A 57-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and affray and taken to a central London police station. 

‘A second man, aged 64, was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service for treatment to non life-threatening injuries. 

‘No other persons were involved. Officers from Westminster investigate. Enquiries continue.’ 

The bar, which is just around the corner form the House of Commons Chamber, is a favourite with young parliamentary researchers as well as MPs.

The pub is an infamous drinking den which hosts darts and pool competitions which have made it a favourite with younger researchers.

It is not the first time that the bar has hit the headlines after violence erupted within its walls.

In March 2013 then Labour MP for Falkirk Eric Joyce started throwing punches during a karaoke night at the bar.

Theresa May had promised to crack down on the heavy drinking culture in Westminster after sex harassment claims 

Theresa May had promised to crack down on the heavy drinking culture in Westminster after sex harassment claims 

Former Labour MP, pictured in 2012 outside court where he was convicted of assaulting politicians in a parliamentary bar. He was repeatedly hauled before magistrates for drunken bar brawls in Westminster's bars during his time as a politician

Former Labour MP, pictured in 2012 outside court where he was convicted of assaulting politicians in a parliamentary bar. He was repeatedly hauled before magistrates for drunken bar brawls in Westminster’s bars during his time as a politician

He was eventually wrestled to the ground and spent the night in a prison cell following the drunken brawl. 

For years it was a private members club for anyone who works on the estate which meant it used to run itself and was exempt form parliamentary management.

It is the only bar in the Palace of Westminster where all staff can go and drink without needing to be accompanied by an MP. 

But questions have been raised about its future ever since the sex harassment scandal hit Westminster a few weeks ago.

There were reports that boozed-up MPs made unwanted passes at female workers pulling pints behind the bar. 

Alice Bailey, 25, who worked for almost four years at the Sports and Social Bar, said she was hounded for sex by up to 30 politicians.  

Miss Bailey, who was 19 when she started working there, said MPs ‘fancied their chances’ because they thought she was a ‘young barmaid’ while they were powerful.

She said she was regularly pestered for sex and that one Labour MP followed her home after a boozy night in the bar and was even groped her on a bus. 

Theresa May has vowed to crack down on the culture of sex harassment and abuse which is said to lurk in the estate’s late-night bars. 

And there were rumours that the bar could be shut down as parliamentary authorities scrambled to show they are getting a grip on the heavy drinking culture there.

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