Tory Ross Thomson was ‘so drunk he couldn’t speak’ at bar

The parliamentary worker decided to speak out after the Brexiteer MP released a statement denying accusations made against him.

“I find it astonishing he is denying allegations that I would think he is not even capable of remembering he was that drunk,” the man, who did not wish to be named publicly, told The National.

As reports persisted about Thomson’s conduct on Tuesday night the Conservative Party on Friday launched a disciplinary probe.

The inquiry began after the MP posted a statement on Twitter denying claims against him and referring himself to his party’s disciplinary panel.

READ MORE: The Ross Thomson scandal takes another bizarre turn

Meanwhile, the witness who spoke to The National said he and a group of three or four friends had been at an event in Westminster earlier on Tuesday evening and decided to go for a drink in the Strangers’ Bar before heading home.

He said they arrived at the packed bar about 10pm and noticed that the high profile Scots Tory was very intoxicated.

“His head was down, he was stumbling. He was standing, leaning on people. I noticed him but he wasn’t the focus of my attention at that point,” he said.

However, about half an hour later the witness said Thomson came up to his group and “grabbed” a young male friend the witness was with from behind.

“He grabbed my friend from behind.

“He was standing behind my friend and caressing his front. His hands were on his chest. We asked him to move away, and let’s be clear. At this stage Ross Thomson couldn’t even speak,” he said.

“My friend was astonished. He was visiting the Parliament. He did not know that Ross Thomson was an MP and was astonished to find out he was.”

Thomson was moved away from one member of the group, but the witness said that later two police officers arrived.

“They arrived in high vis jackets. One stayed outside and another came into the bar and escorted Ross Thomson away.”

Thomson released a statement yesterday denying all allegations made against him.

It said: “A series of serious allegations have been made against me that have featured in the media. I would like to state that these allegations from anonymous sources are completely false. No complaint has been made to the Police, Parliament or Conservative Party. Nevertheless in the interest of openness and transparency I am referring myself to the Conservative Party Disciplinary Panel of the Code of Conduct.”

READ MORE: Witness claims Ross Thomson was 'holding bottoms to not fall on the floor'

On Friday, the Times reported one person present in the bar said Thomson “was holding on to bottoms, but in a bid not to fall onto the floor”. He described the politician as “handsy”.

“He was handsy, yes, and holding people all over, but it was in a bid to stand upright,” he said. Thomson, he stated, had been “holding on to bottoms, but in a bid not to fall on the floor”.

The paper reported that just before the police were called a Government minister tried to persuade Thomson to go to home.

On Thursday Jackson Carlaw, interim leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said Thomson’s alleged conduct had fallen well below the standards expected of an MP.

It is understood Tory whips have spoken to Thomson about the events of Tuesday night.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement on Wednesday that their officers had been called “to a bar within the Palace of Westminster following a report of sexual touching. Officers attended and spoke to the parties involved — three men in their 20s and 30s. However, no formal allegations were made to the officers and no arrests were made.”

This month Commons officials launched a crackdown on alcohol in the Palace of Westminster. It can be served only from designated bars and restaurants, including Strangers’ Bar. MPs were warned to avoid after-hours drinking parties in their offices.

A Conservative spokesman said: “The code of conduct process is confidential and we do not comment on ongoing cases.”