In todays news...

[Horse]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59539589

Parliament drug use claims to be raised with police this week

The Sunday Time reports all but one of 12 lavatory areas in Parliament that were tested showed traces of cocaine, adding the House of Commons Commission - responsible for the running of the Palace of Westminster - was considering allowing the use of sniffer dogs to detect users.

I suppose it could be MPs or Lords & Ladies, political support staff, or HoP employees, or even visitors.

However, 11 of 12 of them suggests it's very widespread. In one of the industries that I work with, random drug and alcohol testing is quite usual (and mandatory after incidents; I was in a depot one evening when a driver broke an indicator on an HGV, he was tested).

I've no idea how common drinking before voting is amongst MPs, although Alan Clark's diaries are probably not to be taken as a job description.

Could the threat of breathalyser tests before entry to the Chamber improve the quality of Parliament?

[Mussels]

It says 11 of 12 toilets, not 11 of the 12 toilets so I guess they just tried ones accessible to the public. Then there's the question of how long it remains testable after being used, it might be a reflection of their covid deep cleans more than drug use.
It just seems like they knew where to get an easy story rather than anything shocking.

[Horse]

It says 11 of 12 toilets, not 11 of the 12 toilets so I

Yup, fair point. Although it says 'areas' not 'cublicles'.

accessible to the public.

Ive not been there for 30 years, it wasn't easy to get in then.

Independent quotes ST saying:

lavatories near the offices of prime minster Boris Johnson and home secretary Priti Patel, as well other washrooms,

DM says:

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he would notify police after the discovery in toilets in the Palace building itself and the adjoining Portcullis House, where many MPs have their offices.

[slowsider]

Get out there, noggin

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ ... lane-crash

[JackyJoll]

Not that recent, but ever topical.



https://courtnewsuk.co.uk/nurse-struck- ... sts-prank/

[slowsider]

Genuine rofl at that link

[Mussels]

Be responsible about covid, do what doctors do.
BBC News - Nearly 70 Spanish medics Covid positive after Christmas party
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59561876

[irie]

Covid is infectious, rocket science.

Will be interesting to see how many of these medics end up in hospital or even dying, and if so how many had pre-existing conditions. If they don't end up in hospital then probably won't be reported.

The infected staff were all fully vaccinated and are showing no symptoms, health authorities said.

[DefTrap]

More downright Downing Street fibbery, this time with added chortling

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59572149

An early Christmas treat.

[Mr. Dazzle]

More downright Downing Street fibbery, this time with added chortling

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59572149

An early Christmas treat.

It's hard to see any future lockdowns actually working now innit?

[slowsider]

More downright Downing Street fibbery, this time with added chortling

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59572149

An early Christmas treat.

It's hard to see any future lockdowns actually working now innit?

Roolz, like taxes, is for the little people, innit.

[slowsider]

Potter puts his feet up
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-ea ... 021-12-07/

[Lutin]

Roolz, like taxes, is for the little people, innit.

Apparently so - Department for Education admits 'gathering' during 2020 lockdown

It was first revealed by the Daily Mirror last night, which said up to two dozen staff of former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson got together for drinks and canapes in the office on 10 December.

At the time, London was in Tier 2 restrictions which banned any indoor household mixing.

The department has admitted that a "gathering" was held for those who were already in the office and couldn't work from home.

"Drinks and snacks were brought by those attending and no outside guests or supporting staff were invited or present," a spokeswoman said.

"While this was work-related, looking back we accept it would have been better not to have gathered in this way at that particular time."

[gremlin]

Bit of a non story. I know of very few people who adhered to the letter of lockdown rules. I sure as shit didn't. I had friends round and we also had parents to look after who were happy with us coming around, lest they went stir crazy.

I may be many things, but I'm not a hypocrite, so I'll save my wailing and gnashing of teeth for another day....

[DefTrap]

Bit of a non story. I know of very few people who adhered to the letter of lockdown rules. I sure as shit didn't. I had friends round and we also had parents to look after who were happy with us coming around, lest they went stir crazy.

Most did though.

You can't control the masses with finger-wagging and then blatantly flout it.

[JamJar]

Bit of a non story. I know of very few people who adhered to the letter of lockdown rules. I sure as shit didn't. I had friends round and we also had parents to look after who were happy with us coming around, lest they went stir crazy.

I may be many things, but I'm not a hypocrite, so I'll save my wailing and gnashing of teeth for another day....

Just because you and people you know flouted the rules don't assume that we all did. I for one and all my family followed the rules so I didn't see my kids for Christmas last year for instance.

[gremlin]

Bit of a non story. I know of very few people who adhered to the letter of lockdown rules. I sure as shit didn't. I had friends round and we also had parents to look after who were happy with us coming around, lest they went stir crazy.

I may be many things, but I'm not a hypocrite, so I'll save my wailing and gnashing of teeth for another day....

Just because you and people you know flouted the rules don't assume that we all did. I for one and all my family followed the rules so I didn't see my kids for Christmas last year for instance.

Then feel free to mount that elevated equine and bask in the glow of moral superiority, my friend. Give it to Boris with both barrels. The scientifically led research known as the 'Covid restrictions' thread on here suggests most people didn't. Add in the great unwashed of British society, those holier-than-thou who said they were but knew full well they weren't and the reckless yoots and you get the picture.

I'm still sat here with a bit of 'Meh' face on.

[Noggin]

I think it's just the fact that the people making the rules flouted them in such a big way!

[gremlin]

I think it's just the fact that the people making the rules flouted them in such a big way!

You'd have thought that people would have gotten used to that after all this time, you know, being human and erring and things.

And was it a big way, few people who work together having a bit of a shit knees up in the office? Go to any office and I suspect many a get together was had under the guise of 'business meeting'.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I think it's just the fact that the people making the rules flouted them in such a big way!

Have you met many politicians, they're all hypocrites.