Probe into Hancock’s ‘Commons bar drink after 10pm’

An investigation will be launched into claims that Matt Hancock was seen drinking in Commons bars after 10pm.

The Health Secretary, responsible for many of the lockdown restrictions, was accused of finishing his white wine after the last vote of the evening last Monday – though he denies this.

Charles Walker, the Tory MP overseeing Commons bars, promised an investigation into claims that the cut-off was not being observed.

He said: ‘If there was drinking after 10pm at night, MPs should know better. I will talk to the people who were working on the bar that night and find out what happened. I will be very cross with my colleagues if it is true – it’s not acceptable.

‘We have to ensure that we comply with the regulations that we put in place. It is not acceptable to

‘MPs should follow the rules’

put staff in a difficult position. MPs should just follow the rules.’

Mr Hancock and other MPs were said to have been drinking in the Smoking Room bar after 10pm, according to an MP witness.

The Mail on Sunday reported that he arrived at the bar just before a 9.40pm vote, ordered a glass of white wine and quipped: ‘ The drinks are on me – but Public Health England are in charge of the payment methodology so I will not be paying anything.’ It was claimed that he was in the Smoking Room until at least 10.25pm.

Last night, Mr Hancock’s spokesman said: ‘The proposed timeline of events is false and no rules have been broken. The Secretary of State was in the smoking room prior to the vote that evening. The Secretary of State left the Smoking Room to vote. The vote took place at 9:42pm. [He] then departed the parliamentary estate to go home.’