The British Medical Association Accused Of Drunken Antics
- From: rpautrey2 <rpautrey2@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:32:42 -0800 (PST)
The Sunday Times
February 24, 2008
The British Medical Association accused of drunken antics at its
London HQ
Isabel Oakeshott
A NEW centre for binge drinking has been identified in the heart of
London: the headquarters of the British Medical Association.
The BMA, which condemned 24-hour drinking last week and called for
higher taxes on alcohol, faces accusations of hypocrisy after
complaints of drunken antics at its central London headquarters.
It has emerged that while blaming everyone else for Britain's binge-
drinking culture and demanding a general sobering-up, the BMA wants to
stay open for two hours longer, until 1am. Its application to extend
its drinking licence has attracted allegations of antisocial behaviour
by partygoers.
The BMA hires out its grade II listed building for wedding receptions
and other social functions where the guests often include doctors. It
charges up to £4,000 a time.
However, residents of nearby homes have complained of the guests
"frolicking" on scaffolding outside the building, "urin-ating" outside
neighbouring properties on Tavistock Square Continued on page 2 and
"causing disturbances" in the early hours.
It has also been suggested that late-night parties at the BMA could be
linked to a rise in the vandalism of cars in the square.
Details of the unruly behaviour emerged at a meeting of licensing
officials at Camden council earlier this month. The BMA had hoped to
make use of new drinking laws to extend its licence from 11pm to 1am.
Don Williams, who chaired the meeting, said: "We heard evidence of a
number of complaints by local residents and the Metropolitan police."
Lawyers for the BMA have agreed to bar patrons from drinking outside
and to ensure that there is 24-hour security on the premises. Once
those concessions had been made, Camden council allowed an extension
to 12.30am.
A report by the National Audit Office this week is expected to say
that lucrative new contracts for GPs have been a mistake, because
doctors are refusing to work longer hours in exchange for their pay
rises.
A Department of Health source said: "It's ironic that they want to
extend their drinking time by two hours - patients would be happy if
they agreed to work an extra two to three hours."
(c) Copyright 2008 Times Newspapers Ltd.
News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the
holding company for the News International group and is registered in
England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
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