Buckingham Palace speaks out after 'arrest as staff Christmas party spirals out of control'

A Buckingham Palace employee, believed to be a housemaid, aimed a punch at the manager of an All Bar One and smashed glasses at the Christmas party, it is reported

An investigation will take place after reports a member of Buckingham Palace staff was arrested after a Christmas party, according to a Palace spokesperson.

Police were called to All Bar One in Victoria Street, central London, after 9pm on Tuesday, according to reports. It is alleged that a worker, believed to be a housemaid, aimed a punch at the manager and smashed glasses.

The spokesperson said "appropriate action" would be taken after the Palace was made aware of the incident. The Sun reported a female member of staff was arrested at a bar in Victoria on Tuesday.

A Palace spokesperson told 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.

"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 told The Sun officers had been called to a bar in Victoria Street after reports a customer had "smashed glasses and attempted to assault a member of staff".

They said a 24-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of common assault, criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly before being released after being given a penalty notice.

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

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