The Groucho Club, a London celebrity haunt, has closed following claims that a “serious crime” took place at the premises.
Westminster City Council on Tuesday said it had suspended the Soho venue’s licence after a request by the Metropolitan Police.
The private members venue is understood to have co-operated with the council’s licensing sub-committee, acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and accepted the decision.
A full hearing will be held and must take place within 28 days from when Scotland Yard submitted the review application.
A council spokesperson said: “This decision follows reports that a serious crime may have taken place at the premises in circumstances linked to a breach in the premises licencing conditions.
“The allegations are subject to an ongoing police investigation and we cannot comment further at this stage.”
The Metropolitan Police and The Groucho Club have been approached for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article