Parliament's Strangers Bar is to re-open this month - after CCTV was installed to protect MPs and staff against spiking.

The popular bar, deep inside the Houses of Parliament, closed last month after a female researcher reported having her drink tampered with.

Strangers' opens out onto the Commons Terrace, overlooking the Thames and is frequented by MPs, parliamentary staffers, and journalists.

A Commons spokesperson said safety was a "key priority".

"Following a review of arrangements in Strangers' Bar, the House of Commons Commission has endorsed a number of changes that aim to enhance existing safety measures and ensure the well-being of all customers who visit the bar," they said.

It's understood the bar will reopen on 24th February, after the Commons returns from recess.

Staff will be given extra training from the Met Police and Home Office to tackle spiking and spot vulnerable people.

Covers for drinks will be available on request, and security will be increased in the vicinity of the bar.

And IDs will be more rigorously checked to ensure only those who are allowed to access the bar can get in.

Newly installed CCTV will be run as a standalone system, and only accessed in the event of an incident.

Information on "drink safety" and links to schemes including "Ask for Angela" will also be displayed in the bar.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union which represents some parliamentary staff, said the changes "go some way to addressing concerns".

He said: "In particular, the introduction of CCTV is something Prospect has called for as an important security measure, and one which is present in virtually every other licensed premises in the country.

"It is telling, however, that these changes are necessary, and indicative that the overall culture at Westminster still has to change."

The Metropolitan Police are continuing to investigate the alleged spiking, and a spokesman for the force said no arrests had been made so far.

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