Alcohol Late Nights and Online Abuse 'Lead MPs to Drink More'

Late night sittings in the Commons and receiving abuse on social media encourage MPs to drink while they are in parliament, research reveals.

- Denis Campbell

A survey of 102 MPs found that almost one in five feel under pressure to consume alcohol while socialising with colleagues, a higher proportion than the 14% of the general public.

The research also uncovered a stark divide between the parties over whether it is acceptable for MPs to drink before voting on or speaking in a parliamentary debate.

While nearly three in 10 MPs overall approve, just 19% of Liberal Democrats and 23% of Labour members agree - while 57% of Conservatives think it is acceptable.

One Tory MP said: "Parliament operates at strange hours, so it would not be unusual to have one glass of wine with an evening meal and then vote in a division."