The video will start in 8 Cancel

What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Home Secretary Priti Patel’s Chief of Staff was tonight escorted from a House of Commons bar after police were called.

James Starkie, a senior special advisor at the Home Office, had been seen in Strangers’ Bar in Parliament during the afternoon, while MPs were debating calling an election.

Shortly before 7pm he was asked to leave by officers who had been called to the bar.

Witnesses said an MP had accused Mr Starkie of using abusive language to other customers and towards members of staff behind the bar.

They also said Mr Starkie appeared to punch the door frame on his way out of the bar.

Number 10 declined to comment.

A House of Commons spokesperson said: "We can confirm there was an incident with an individual in Strangers bar. The individual was asked to leave, and was escorted from the Estate by Parliamentary Security”

Mr Starkie works at the Home Office, which is responsible for law and order and domestic security.

At Tory Conference earlier this month, Ms Patel declared the Conservatives the “party of law and order”.

(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

She said: “The Conservative Party takes its rightful place as the Party of Law and Order in Britain once again.

“We stand with the brave men and women of our police and security services.

“And we stand against the criminals.”

Strangers’ Bar is just one floor down from the Commons chamber.

It is open any time the House is sitting, offering MPs and their guests reduced-rate booze and views of the London Eye and the river Thames.