Westminster social club is not a ‘den of iniquity’

A popular parliamentary bar – temporarily closed after an altercation involving two parliamentary staff last month – should not be viewed as a “den of iniquity”, according to a former senior official.

David Leakey, who left the Black Rod parliamentary post at the end of last year, described the Sports and Social Club as “really well run” and a civilised place for a drink.

He told BBC Radio 4’s The Westminster Hour he does not believe allegations of sexual harassment in Westminster are “necessarily directly linked to a drinking culture” but are “isolated” incidents.