Buckingham Palace launch probe into 'unofficial' Christmas party brawl

Buckingham Palace is launching a probe into an 'unofficial' boozy Christmas party which ended in a brawl at All Bar One after a palace maid was reportedly arrested.

A female member of staff was allegedly arrested at a bar in Victoria, central London, on Tuesday.

A spokesperson said 'appropriate action' would be taken after the Palace was made aware of the incident. 

Royal staff were said to have gathered for drinks at the Palace on Tuesday night, with around 50 making their way to Victoria Street to carry on the festivities.

But a 24-year-old woman - reported to be a housemaid - allegedly threw a punch at the bar manager during the booze-fuelled evening.

She is also alleged to have hurled glasses around, despite attempts to calm her down, and was arrested after police came to the bar. 

A witness told The Sun: 'I've never seen one person get that crazy during a night out.  She was on another level.'

A Palace spokesperson said: '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.

'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.'

A woman was arrested for common assault, damage and being drunk and disorderly and was put in a cell overnight before being released with a fine.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: 'At 21:21hrs on Tuesday, 10 December 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.'

Royal staff had boozy drinks at the Palace around 4pm without incident, and the All Bar One afterparty had been pre-arranged.

Despite being an 'informal social gathering' and not an official Palace Christmas party, the Palace said it will be fully investigated and 'appropriate action taken'.

Met Police said: '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.'