Parliament bars impose 10pm curfew after swift U-turn

Bars in parliament will not be permitted to sell alcohol after 10pm in a swift change of policy after The Times discovered they were exempt from the pub curfew.

Facilities serving alcohol on the parliamentary estate were not subject to the earlier closing time announced by the prime minister as they fall under the description of “a workplace canteen”.

However, after complaints from the public and some MPs, the Commons authorities have acted to close the legal loophole.

A parliament spokesman said: “Alcohol will not be sold after 10pm anywhere on the parliamentary estate.”

The regulations announced by Boris Johnson last Thursday state that “workplace canteens may remain open where there is no practical alternative for staff at that workplace to obtain food”.

MPs from