Exclusive

Westminster sleaze: Drugs so common that MPs 'have been known to snort cocaine from desks'

18 May 2022, 18:45 | Updated: 18 May 2022, 20:32

Mark Oaten spoke to LBC's Andrew Marr
Mark Oaten spoke to LBC's Andrew Marr. Picture: LBC/Alamy

By Will Taylor

Drugs are so commonplace in Westminster that MPs have been known to snort cocaine from their desks, a former politician has told LBC.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking exclusively on Tonight with Andrew Marr, ex-Lib Dem MP Mark Oaten said the toxic environment around Parliament means it is a "miracle" there aren't more scandals.

He said he has seen MPs take hard drugs, chat up public visitors hoping to watch Prime Minister's Questions and poor treatment of young researchers working in Parliament.

The culture of drinking, drug-taking, late night votes and long stays away from family in their constituencies is to blame, he believes.

His comments come after a Tory was arrested on suspicion for rape, and in recent months MPs have been convicted of sexual offences or caught watching porn in the House of Commons.

Andrew Marr interviews former MP Mark Oaten

Mr Oaten, who himself left Parliament after a scandal in 2006, said: "I'm afraid drugs are commonplace. I mean, I used to know of MPs who were snorting coke off their office desks, I saw political editors of national newspapers snorting it off toilet seats.

"I saw widespread drug taking, I saw widespread treatment of researchers which was totally unacceptable.

"I saw MPs trying to chat up members of the public as they queue to get into Prime Minister's Question time in return for a free ticket.

"I'm afraid what I saw was pretty awful. And to my shame, I didn't call it out at the time, I would like to speak out about it now much more, because I think that this is just perpetuating and continuing.

Read more: Putin 'constantly surrounded by doctors' as illness throws Kremlin into chaos

"And when we see all of these scandals taking place, it is in part because we're not changing that culture around Westminster."

Mark Oaten left Parliament after being caught liaising with a male sex worker.

He had been a rising star in the Liberal Democrats, and said he was once touted with bookmakers for a shot at the leadership of the party.

'I saw political editors of national newspapers snorting it off toilet seats'

Scandal after scandal in Westminster has triggered questions over what is leading to bad behaviour.

A Tory MP was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault offences and has been released on bail pending further enquiries by the Metropolitan Police.

He will not re-enter Parliament until the investigation is over.

Read more: 'I don't believe it': Ex-Tory leader blasts Sunak's claim IT system to blame for not raising benefits

Tory Imran Ahmad Khan was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy and has resigned his Wakefield seat.

Neil Parish was caught watching porn in the House of Commons twice and resigned.

David Warburton was suspended by the Conservative party after cocaine and sexual harassment allegations were levied in the Sunday Times.

"I think that there are several reasons why the drinking takes place," Mr Oaten explained.

Watch Tonight with Andrew Marr exclusively on Global Player every Monday to Thursday from 6pm to 7pm.

Mark Oaten blasted the toxic culture at Westminster
Mark Oaten blasted the toxic culture at Westminster. Picture: LBC

"I mean, people are lonely. You go away from home. There's a clubbable atmosphere, they're often bored.

"Sometimes they're waiting hours for these votes to take place. And so they go into Strangers' [bar], they’re then mixing with journalists who often have an expenses account. 'Come on, Fred, come on, Jim, have a drink.'

"And of course that feeds gossip and stories, which is great for the newspapers. And you've also got lobbyists, charities, all of these professional organisations.

"Surprise, surprise, what do they do? They hold receptions every single night of the week, they're giving drink to Members of Parliament so they can influence them, influence them with drink, influence them with their particular policies.

"Now, look, I'm not making excuses. But there has to be a better way to function around our democracy. This is a toxic environment, and no one is changing it at the moment."

You can also listen to the podcast Tonight with Andrew Marr only on Global Player.

Mr Oaten also suggested reducing the working week in Westminster and allowing MPs to spend more time in their consistencies and with their families, looking into taking alcohol away from Parliament and ending late finishes.

But he warned it would be "delusional" to think party leaders getting together to make changes would help.

"They don't want to be the ones that go and tell their 200 or so MPs that you've got to be home at six o'clock, you can't drink on the premises," he said.

"And actually, the whips quite like the influence of keeping them there, the threat of having to stay till 10 o'clock on a three line vote.

"And the alcohol also plays a part in how you control those Members of Parliament as well."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

'Our wombs are owned by Westminister': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women going through baby loss

'Our wombs are owned by Westminster': Myleene Klass hits out at government for neglecting women experiencing baby loss

Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections via AP)

Man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare boss held without bail

Breaking
Anthony Marks

Woman, 18, charged with murder of homeless man sheltering in bin shed near King's Cross

A protester wearing a Netanyahu mask outside his trial in Tel Aviv

Netanyahu gives evidence for first time in corruption trial

Luigi Mangione has been charged with the murder of a health insurance CEO

Healthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione ‘went crazy after surgery’ and called insurers 'parasites’ in manifesto

Israeli soldiers standing next to an armoured vehicle

Israel launches airstrikes across Syria as troops seize more territory

Israel Netanyahu’s Trial Explainer

Israel’s Netanyahu is set to give evidence in long-running corruption trial

Hildale, Utah, with mountains in the background

Cult leader who claimed underage girls among his ‘wives’ jailed for 50 years

Abbie's husband Karl Sundgren posted tributes to her online

'Baby Abbie’ who was snatched from hospital as a newborn in 1994 dies aged just 30

c

Murdered schoolgirl Elianne Andam, 15, posted Snapchat moments before being stabbed to death in 'row over teddy bear’

Jorge Ortega

'Just hours from going home to his wife': Tribute to 'devoted' rail worker killed at station as fundraiser launched

A man holding up two nooses in Saydnaya prison

Thousands flock to Assad regime prison in search for missing loved ones

Exclusive
Five former Health Secretaries call for memorial to tens of thousands of stillborn babies buried in unmarked mass graves.

Five former Health Secretaries call for memorial to tens of thousands of stillborn babies buried in unmarked mass graves

The family of Luigi Mangione say they are "shocked and devastated"

Family of Luigi Mangione break silence after 26-year-old charged with murder of health insurance boss

Protests against the arrests of the suspected PKK members

Six people charged in London terror probe linked to banned PKK after 'extensive police investigation'

New promo image shows Stacey, Nessa, Gwen, Bryn and Gavin heading to Essex in the Picasso

Gavin And Stacey star says Christmas special will be 'nothing short of a masterpiece' - as new photos released