Police are investigating after a woman reported having her drink spiked in one of Parliament’s bars.
The alleged incident took place just after MPs returned from their long Christmas break, Politico reported.
The woman, a parliamentary researcher, alerted bar staff and parliamentary security to the incident in the Stranger’s Bar at around 6.30pm on 7 January.
A UK Parliament spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident which took place on the parliamentary estate in early January, which was reported to parliamentary security and is now being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service.”
Parliamentary officials stressed they were taking the allegation extremely seriously, the publication reported.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed it had “received reports of an alleged spiking at an establishment in the House of Commons”.
They added in a statement on Wednesday: “The investigation is ongoing and the victim is being supported by officers. There have been no arrests at this stage.
“We would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim or witness to spiking, in any form, to contact us on 101, or 999 in emergency. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A group of Labour MPs recently called for restrictions to be placed on the sale of alcohol inside Parliament, in a bid to modernise the Commons.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper has also promised to strengthen the response to spiking in a wider crackdown on violence against women and girls.
Last year she condemned spiking as “a disturbing and serious crime which can have a damaging and long-lasting impact on victims.”