Tory MP apologises after police called to guest’s drunken bar row
A Conservative MP has apologised after police were called to one of parliament’s bars when his guest allegedly became aggressive towards House of Commons staff.
Andrew Rosindell, the MP for Romford, said he was sorry after doorkeepers told him he could not take guests into the Strangers’ Bar because they were too drunk. He had attempted to bring in four people, despite the limit being three.
At least six police officers were seen outside the bar on Tuesday night. Parliamentary staff gave statements. One member of staff told police: “He [the guest] came too close to my face and I didn’t like that. I was trying to tell him to respect the doorkeeper and it only got worse.”
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Sources close to Rosindell acknowledged the guest had been “frustrated” but insisted he had not been aggressive. They said he later shook the doorkeeper’s hand.
Rosindell said: “I am very sorry and I unreservedly apologise on behalf of my guest.”
However, another staff member complained to officers: “They feel like they can do it because they’re [MPs]. They make the rules but they’re the first to break them. They’re the ones who should be leading by example.”
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Staff were overheard saying that after being refused entry, Rosindell, who is a shadow foreign minister, went into the bar to find another MP to sign the extra guest in. When he returned, he was told they were too drunk to be admitted. The guest had allegedly become involved in an “offensive […] verbal confrontation” with a staff member, who was said to be “completely astonished” at his behaviour.
The incident was reported to parliamentary security and Gagan Mohindra, the Tory deputy chief whip, who was seen giving his details to authorities.
The House of Commons said: “We work continuously to provide a working environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued. Parliament’s behaviour code sets clear expectations about how everyone should be treated and how they should treat others.”
The Conservative Party was contacted for comment.
Rosindell returned to parliament last year after a lengthy Metropolitan Police investigation into suspected sexual offences and misconduct in public office was dropped. He was arrested in 2022 after a complaint dating back to 2002–09. He always denied wrongdoing and was never charged.
Strangers’ Bar has been the location of a number of altercations in parliament. Earlier this year it closed for a review of security after a researcher’s drink was allegedly spiked.
CCTV could watch House of Commons bar after spiking claim
The bar has also featured in multiple complaints raised under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, and there have been claims of groping or unwanted physical contact involving MPs and parliamentary staff.