Buckingham Palace issues statement after staff member arrested at Christmas party

An investigation is set to be carried out after a Buckingham Palace staff member was reportedly arrested after a Christmas party, said a Palace spokesperson. The arrest came following an incident at All Bar One in Victoria Street, London, just after 9 pm on Tuesday, where it's claimed a staffer—thought to be a housemaid—took a swing at the manager and shattered glassware.

The Palace has indicated "appropriate action" will follow the event, which has come to light. According to The Sun, a woman of the Royal staff found herself in cuffs at the bar that evening.

A Palace representative conveyed to the BBC: "We are aware of an incident outside the workplace involving a number of Household staff who had previously attended an early evening reception at the Palace."

They further clarified, "While this was an informal social gathering, not an official Palace Christmas party, the facts will be fully investigated, with a robust disciplinary process followed in relation to individual staff and appropriate action taken."

The Metropolitan Police revealed to The Sun that their intervention was requested at a watering hole on Victoria Street upon reports that a patron had "smashed glasses and attempted to assault a member of staff". They added that a 24 year old woman was taken into custody on suspicion of common assault, criminal damage, and disorderly conduct under the influence but was released upon receiving a penalty notice, reports the Mirror.

A representative for the Metropolitan Police stated: "At 21.21hrs on Tuesday, December 10 officers were called to a bar in Victoria Street, SW1, following reports that a customer had smashed glasses and attempted to assault a member of staff. Officers attended and arrested a 24-year-old woman on suspicion of common assault, criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly."

"She was taken into custody and released the following evening having been given a penalty notice for disorder."

The Sun has reported that a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace confirmed the event was an informal social gathering and not an official Palace Christmas party, but an investigation will be launched.